The Hidden Face of Terrorism: The Dark Side of Social Engineering, From Antiquity to September 11 [Paperback]

Paul David Collins (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140336799X
• ISBN-13: 978-1403367990
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye opener everyone must read., November 17, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hidden Face of Terrorism: The Dark Side of Social Engineering, From Antiquity to September 11 (Paperback)

I knew nothing of this book except for the other reviews on Amazon when I purchased it and when it arrived I was kinda skeptical. I am pretty much a "Conspiracy Theorist" Collins talks about in his book but when I first opened it I must admit the appearance of the text was unorthodox. Quite frankly the book looks like a college term paper composed the day before it was due, double spaced in large font and full of quotes and parenthetical citations. But once i got reading I couldn't stop and I flew threw it in about an hour and then passed it on to some friends. The book reds more like an essay and really will open your eyes to many things most Americans would never be exposed to or otherwise pay attention too. The great thing is how Collins organized his information. Instead of just indicting the American government he uses excerpts and quotes from documents and novels to point out issues that are over looked. What really touched me was how Collins handled the Bush admistrations stance of bad mouthing those Americans who do not agree with how the war on terror is being fought and by claiming that anyone against the governemnts attempts to pass new laws granting them powers to avoid normal American procedures for the FBI and CIA. Collins ponts out how Americans concerned with the governments motives in seeking out these expanded powers are suspect to serious population control measures and shows how the government pins anyone who does question them as an actual terrorist themselves. This is important for everyone to note because as an American citizen we have the right to question our elected leaders and that does not mean we are for the enemy. Buy this book it will really make you think. I especially recommend this book to those who have rather sheltered lives or are not accustomed to reading about corruption of governemtns.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, yet could go further., December 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hidden Face of Terrorism: The Dark Side of Social Engineering, From Antiquity to September 11 (Paperback)

The author makes a solid case for his position, citing historic cases and numerous overlooked facts surrounding acts of terrorism.

What is especially impressive is the fact that the book does not assume the positions of either the left or right wing, remaining non-partisan in approach. For instance, the author cites the Northwoods Project as an act of state-sanctioned terrorism. This would be a veritable gem to those on the left who unfairly scorn the cause of anti-communism. Collins, however, makes it clear that the revelation of Northwoods does not exonerrate the despot Castro.

Meanwhile, Collins gives no slack to the so-called right-wing either. He shows cases where anti-communism, initially sincere cause of anti-totalitarianism, was exploited by the power elite to create a politically expedient external threat to the United States. This is especially evident in the case of Bin Laden and his supposedly anti-Soviet forces. Under the banner of anti-communism, the oligarchs of the American Establishment funded Bin Laden and made him the threat he is today.

The overall contention is that Hegelian framework of left vs. right is a swiftly vanishing chimera, a fairy tale.

The one reservation I have with the book is that it simply does go as far as it could. There are a lot more government ties to terrorism, such as the United States aiding and abetting anti-Castro rebels here in the United States. After it became clear that America was not going to employ genuine campaign against Castro, the government used them to perpetrate numerous other acts of terror.

Still, the book is very well researched and is very important in understanding current events.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, yet could go further., December 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hidden Face of Terrorism: The Dark Side of Social Engineering, From Antiquity to September 11 (Paperback)

The author makes a solid case for his position, citing historic cases and numerous overlooked facts surrounding acts of terrorism.

What is especially impressive is the fact that the book does not assume the positions of either the left or right wing, remaining non-partisan in approach. For instance, the author cites the Northwoods Project as an act of state-sanctioned terrorism. This would be a veritable gem to those on the left who unfairly scorn the cause of anti-communism. Collins, however, makes it clear that the revelation of Northwoods does not exonerrate the despot Castro.

Meanwhile, Collins gives no slack to the so-called right-wing either. He shows cases where anti-communism, initially sincere cause of anti-totalitarianism, was exploited by the power elite to create a politically expedient external threat to the United States. This is especially evident in the case of Bin Laden and his supposedly anti-Soviet forces. Under the banner of anti-communism, the oligarchs of the American Establishment funded Bin Laden and made him the threat he is today.

The overall contention is that Hegelian framework of left vs. right is a swiftly vanishing chimera, a fairy tale.

The one reservation I have with the book is that it simply does not go as far as it could. There are a lot more government ties to terrorism, such as the United States aiding and abetting anti-Castro rebels here in the United States. After it became clear that America was not going to employ the rebels in a genuine campaign against Castro, the government used them to perpetrate numerous other acts of terror.

Still, the book is very well researched and is very important in understanding current events.