Allah's Bomb: The Islamic Quest for Nuclear Weapons (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: safeguards agreement, undeclared activities, nuclear assets, South Africa, Middle East, North Korea (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The peril of nuclear proliferation is urgent and intractable, argues journalist Venter (Iran's Nuclear Option, etc.) in this sprawling exposé, which examines the supply and demand side of the international nuclear black market. Iran, Venter contends, is the most determined and—given its anti-Israel animus—dangerous seeker of nuclear weapons, but al-Qaeda is in the market, as are possibly Saudi Arabia, Syria, Algeria and Egypt. Underpinning their ambitions is a dense web of suppliers, centered on the Pakistani proliferation entrepreneur A.Q. Khan. His network is a dark caricature of globalization, bringing together stolen fissile material from the former Soviet republics, European nuclear technology, Pakistani uranium-enrichment expertise, nuclear-capable North Korean missile designs and know-how from Russia, China, South Africa and elsewhere. With so much support and lax oversight by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Venter warns, covert nuclear-weapons programs like Iran's are far more advanced than is generally understood. Meticulously tracing who sold what to whom, Venter offers a comprehensive, if sometimes disorganized and repetitive, account of the industry, complete with sketchy sidebars on nuclear science and engineering and unhelpful (one hopes) diagrams of atom bombs, centrifuges and missiles. The welter of details about proliferation's intricate maze can be eye-glazing, but they make Venter's book a useful introduction to this unavoidably complex—and dire—issue. (Mar. 1)
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Product Description

According to various intelligence agencies around the world, there are thirty-three international states or entities that have either started the process of building nuclear devices or have expressed an interest in building them. Many, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and various former Soviet Republics, have been linked to extreme Islamic militant groups. "Allah's Bomb" is a thoroughly researched and accessible volume that examines the progress of these countries towards full nuclear capability, and the repercussions the situation may have on global society. This timely and important volume will become essential reading for anyone with an interest in the true state of global affairs. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599212056
• ISBN-13: 978-1599212050
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #828,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endorese Venter's work!, May 10, 2007

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (4/07)

I am a retired Chief of Police who was on the job on the morning of September 11, 2001. As with most local law enforcement organizations, we had little to no experience with international terrorism. Over the past five years I've not only studied terrorism, attended many seminars on the subject, and investigated terrorism cases, I now speak to government and private sector organizations, as well as civic groups on the reality of terrorism and the implications for the United States. Given that background I quickly asked for the opportunity to read and review "Allah's Bomb," authored by Al J. Venter.

Having read the book, I may safely say that Mr. Venter has written a book that is an absolute must read for every American. The book belongs in every home, every library, every government and private sector agency, and certainly in every educational institution. Mr. Venter's extensive experience as an international correspondent and his association with the widely respected Jane's organization certainly qualify him to write this book.

International terrorism is the defining issue of this generation and the risks associated with it grow at an ever-accelerating pace. As our country grows ever more polarized on the Global War on Terror, and the information presented continues to be inadequate to the problem, the need for Americans to understand what we are dealing with grows proportionally. Never has our country faced an enemy that has so clearly stated its hostile intentions towards us. Those intentions include the use of nuclear weapons, which Osama bin Laden has authorized. Mr. Venter makes a compelling case for America to be not only aware, but engage in significant levels of preparedness. Finally, Mr. Venter makes the case of additional risk die to other countries attempting to produce nuclear weapons.

I endorse Mr. Venter's work and give "Allah's Bomb" a very high rating. Well done sir!