Customer Reviews

Al-Qaeda: The Terror Network that Threatens the World (Nation Books)

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Like many people I have read a number of books and articles about Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda since September 11th and I must say that this has been the best one to date. The author is a reporter from the BBC and her book is very much like the high quality reports one expects from the BBC. There is not a lot of unnecessary emotional descriptions of the events, it is a "just the facts" type of book that is very interesting.

The author takes us through a description on how the al-Qaeda group was formed, the terrorist attacks the group performed in the 90s, and the September 11th event. The detail she gives us for the planning, set up, and actual attack on the 11th is wonderful. You really get a good understanding of the events the terrorists went through leading up to them getting on the planes. She also takes us through the many different items that have come out in the press talking about what the different U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies knew and when they knew it. ...

Overall the book is very good. She does not take sides in the issue of if the U.S. could have stopped the attacks, but she does point out some mistakes that could have prevented some of the attackers from entering the U.S. She also takes a hard look at the military operations in Afghanistan and does not come out of it with a glowing report of the American forces. It is a well written and easy to read book that you will find difficult to put down.

I bought this book because I assumed the "BBC Senior Correspondent" tag under the author's name meant she knew something about the issue. Instead, I was treated to the confused, rambly storytelling of someone who appeared to have taken a surface-level crash course in the matter and then combined that with her faulty memory. The result is confused and misleading, with a number of errors I was able to spot simply through my own vague memory from other books and sources I'd read. I re-checked, of course, using such excellent sources as Ahmed Rashid's "Taliban" and Mary Anne Weaver's "A Portrait of Egypt", and found myself to be correct - and Jane Corbin incorrect - every time.

I worry that people who haven't read as much in depth about al-Quaeda, the Afghan Jihad, and the militant Islamist movements of recent decades, would not spot these inconsistencies and errors - though they may spot some of the spelling and grammatical errors. Nevertheless, they might think they're reading a solidly researched book, and mistaken notions would be ingrained in their heads.

Please, let nobody use this book as their introduction to the subject! It does more harm than good.

In "Al-Qaeda: The Terror Network that Threatens the World", Jane Corbin provides the reader with an extremely vivid, and thorough account of the evolution of Al-Qeada, and the events that led to the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center towers.
Corbin introduces the cast of characters in an orderly, and easy-to-follow fashion. What makes the accounts particularly interesting are the personal details that follow the growth, and transformation of the attackers from seemingly unremarkable Islamic adolescense, to an eventual jihadi adult "martyr". Corbin reveals the terrorists' use of Western education as a tool in their plot to murder Americans "infidels".
Accounts are supported by numerous interviews with the likes of western agents, military personnel, educators, Islamic fundamentalists, and peaceful Muslims. Discussion with westerners who had become aquainted with the "martyrs" reveal how effectively they had assimilated themselves into western life so as not to appear suspicious. Corbin reveals that even today, some of the westerners that crossed paths with the terrorists are still in denial regarding thier role in killing thousands.
The book provides the essential background knowledge on the history of Al-Qeada, and its development from Afghan patriot fighters, to multinational terrorist "corporation".
After the 11 September 2001 attack, Corbin analyzes the effectiveness of the military and diplomatic response of the western coalition. By the books end, it is clear that Corbin feels that western response has been futile, if not a complete failure.
Corbin's provocative book leaves the reader well educated and intrigued, yet, uncertain about future vulnerability to attack.

This is a great book. Like most other authors, Ms. Corbin examines the big picture of the organization. However, she tells the reader the "behind the scenes" look at some of the organizations main players. She dives into the personal life of Osama Bin Laden, Muhammed Atta, and the other 11 Sept 01 highjackers--fascinating. It is a great sources for someone who wants to see how the other side thinks. Moreover she examines the "hows" and "whys" of the attack, and how these men where able to complete a mission of great scale. I would, and have, recommend this book to anyone. She really did her research! Thank you.

If you want to get an insight and begin to understand what we are facing as a society today buy this and read it cover to cover.

One of the first books published after 9/11 Corbin paints a vivid picture of an organization and it's varied modes of terror.

I read this book several years ago, and enjoyed it very much.

However, it is a snapshot of an evolving organization, and the conflict to defeat it. By it's nature, it's perspective has expired by the time the ink has dried.

Corbin does a good job of analyzing the background to Al Qaeda and bin Laden. This is where her book's strong points are. Her insight behind the events provides the reader with ideas to pursue and some handles on why events unfolded and may unfold in the future.

Unfortunately she inexplicably left out an index and this makes her book very awkard to use as a research tool - looking for material to cite is problematic. She also does not spend much time on the structure of Al Qaeda or events she perhaps did not deal with as a BBC correspondent. Her hands-on personal experience and interviews are otherwise excellent.

It is so hard to find information that is not skewed one way or another. This book told that facts and kept the personal commentary to a minimum. It reads like a thriller. Highly recommended for anyone trying to understand UBL.

This is a must read to help understand the people that destroyed our Nations Symbols of Power and tried to destroy our will and strength but only proved to Strengthen our Nations and make us eve more powerful. If you are unsure of who or why these people do what they do this is the book to get an idea.