From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Drawing from an array of print and Internet sources, Loehfelm traces his subject's early life and radicalization and the rise of his public influence on a susceptible minority of Muslims. Bin Laden's ability to inspire fanatical loyalty in his followers is the theme here, and few readers are likely to sleep easily in the wake of the author's blanket claim that al-Qaeda is an organization whose "members, of which there are thousands, will readily and enthusiastically lay down their lives for him." Loehfelm also baldly states that bin Laden "masterminded" and "orchestrated" the September 11th attacks, though the publicly released evidence for that is, so far, indirect or after the fact. Still, despite drab black-and-white photos, several of which are semi-relevant at best, this book is a coherent study of bin Laden's career, methods, and stated beliefs. Readers wishing to study the Muslim world's historical background, or to stay current on the war against terrorism, will find helpful citations in the appended notes and reading lists.
John Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Reviewed with Scott Ingram's
Kim Il Sung.
Gr. 6-12. These informative biographies from the History's Villains series offer readers good overviews of the lives of two notorious men, including the personal and historical developments that prompted them to follow paths of ruthless violence. The biography of Osama bin Laden begins with his youth and goes on to discusses his wealthy family, education, immersion in the study of Islam, and the many factors that led him to militancy, terrorism, and his leadership of al-Qaeda, ending with bin Laden, as of June 2003, still at large. The profile of the late North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung traces his early years, his rise to power as the brutal first leader of North Korea, and the disastrous war he waged against South Korea in his ill-fated attempt to unify the peninsula. Both books feature black-and-white photographs with informative captions. Appendixes include a chronology, a glossary, source notes, and suggestions for further research. Clearly written and well organized, these will serve as good introductions to their respective subjects. Ed Sullivan
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