Customer Reviews

The Mad Messiah: Osama bin Laden and the Seeds of Terror

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4 star:		(3)
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The Mad Messiah is an excellent overview of events leading up to and including September 11th.

With tremendous insight, it composes a greater and more complete picture of the actions of ALL parties involved in our current world events. By composing this picture, what we might have previously viewed as an 'isolated and random incident', is actually shown to be a lengthy evolution of economic, political, cultural and emotional circumstances.

While some may find this book challenging in the extensive information it presents, especially in regard to previous U.S. military involvement overseas, I felt that Ms. Devji reports on a challenging and charged topic with informed grace, neutrality, compassion and understanding for all elements of the equation.

I found The Mad Messiah eye-opening, and refreshingly clear. I was able to understand some of the various components of why we are at where we are today, without having to edit out someone else's biased perception. That, in itself, is a tremendous gift to our collective education, especially since AS Americans, one of our greatest assets is our inquiring mind and constant search for the truth. Read it.

Having read several of the books on the events and people behind September 11th, I can safely say that Devji's book is a clear stand out among them. She has broken down a complex subject involving religious, poitical and geographical issues and explained them clearly, presenting unique perspectives and insights because she is an 'insider' from that part of the world. What really makes her book stand out is the fact that it examines not only the facts about the attack, but the causes, solutions, and history in a compelling narrative way. An informative and enjoyable read.

The Mad Messiah delves into the the details of the horrific terrorist attack. The author, Ms. Mantoshe devji tells the reasons behind the attacks and helps the reader make sense of all the confusion. This book is one that is bold and daring, yet at the same time unbiased in its views.

I would like to recommend it to anyone interested in finding out the true and accurate details behind Sep 11. A truly commendable effort.

This author writes with understanding of one who has lived (and survived) in both worlds. Her compassion and empathy come through clearly.

Mantoshe, has a degree in International relations from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a journalist and op-ed writer, who writes social and political commentary.
*She felt that the only way she could make a difference was to write about conflict, examine the mind set of 'enemies'.
*As a child, she saw firsthand, the brutality of hatred on both sides, as her family fled from Pakistan, was chased by mobs, was fired on and attacked while rushing past stranded trains at the border filled with passengers who had been shot dead. Her gandmother's family was surrounded in a temple, set on fire and killed.
*Though born of a warrior people, she believes that courage looks at conflict in the eye and seeks peace.
*Mantoshe believes that we are already in the beginning stages of 3rd world war, and it will culminate in an international holocaust. If a solution is not found soon, somebody will use the nuclear option, to the detriment of the entire planet.

This book is a clear breadth of fresh air.

Ms. Mantoshe Singh Devji lifts the veil of confusion about who, what, where, and why September 11 happened. In an unbiased manner she guides the reader through all of the hatred, misinformation, and chaos of the terrorist attack and its aftermath. Allow this master storyteller to walk you through Osama bin Laden's life, listen to the rantings of his followers, and peer into the terrorist culture. She is a passionate voice of reason that dares to tell the truth.

I found her book to be an engrossing read as well as an excellent reference book. I bought several copies for my adult and college-age children. September 11, is too important of an issue for any adult to stay uninformed. Check it out. . .she even drew the sketches of bin Laden and Bush.

Arlene Kole Salmon

MY WIFE READ THIS BOOK BEFORE I COULD GET TO IT. SHE SAID IT WAS EXCELLENT AND THAT I SHOULD READ IT. SHE WAS RIGHT. IF YOU WANT A COMPLETE BACKGROUND OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND OSAMA BIN LADEN, THIS BOOK IS YOUR ANSWER. IT IS WRITTEN IN VERY READABLE LANGUAGE AND WELL DOCUMENTED. IT ISN'T UNTIL THE END OF THE BOOK THAT YOU REALIZE WHY IT HAS BEEN WRITTEN WITH SUCH PASSION AND CLARITY. THE AUTHOR HERSELF AS A YOUNG GIRL EXPERIENCED THE TERROR OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION WHEN HER UNCLE HAD TO KILL HIS DAUGHTERS AND HIMSELF TO AVOID A MOB GONE BESERK. THIS WAS IN PAKISTAN. HOW ONE LIVES WITH THAT MEMORY IS HARD TO CONCEIVE. DESPITE THIS BURDEN THE AUTHOR HAS WRITTEN A BALANCED ACCOUNT TO INFORM AND NOT TO INFLUENCE. HOPEFULLY THE WRITING OF THIS BOOK AND IT'S SOUNDING NOTE WILL HELP HERSELF AND OTHERS. I INTEND TO PASS THIS BOOK ON TO MY DAUGHTERS.

Imagine a "rag-tag band of crackpots" whose movements and activities remind one of outrageous scenes from a Marx Brothers film or the Keystone Kops but whose activities are capable of wreaking havoc and destroying America's sense of security forever. There was such a group and this is what happened on September 11, 2001. A relatively small group of devout, dedicated fundamentalist Muslims, consumed by their terrorist efforts proved that if anyone wants to "get Americans" they could find a way and accomplish what 50 years of the "Cold War" failed to do. And all of America's missiles and sophisticated weaponry would be as useless as trying to sweep back the sea.
These men while they may seem to be crazy are far from it. Many are well-educated, wealthy and devout as well as crafty and cunning. They demand respect for their dedication and absorption in their beliefs making them fearsome and dangerous. Without their religious zeal which buoys their sprits and morale their efforts would be less than successful and maybe even tragic and laughable.
The Mad Messiah introduces us to some of the men and leaders of this group, Al Qaeda. The author spells out their devotion to their goals and their world view. Ms. Devji has given the reader a rudimentary and much needed explanation of some of these men, their religion, and families in an easy to read manner. The book is an excellent example of a well-written, well-researched work - a real service to the reader.

Anyone who has witnessed the destruction of the World Trade Center - and who has not? - can easily identify with Ms. Devji's stunned disbelief as she describes this event. She has captured the essence of our reactions on that day of infamy. Her words echo the feelings of tragedy we all experienced and her own understanding and personal life experiences of the East adds to the poignancy of her words. As such the book is an excellent primer for anyone who wants to know who the men of Al Qaeda are and their dedication to their own peculiar and virulent version of Islam.

Can you imagine a "rag-tag band of crackpots" whose movements and activities remind one of laughable and outrageous scenes from a Marx Brothers film or from the Keystone Kops but whose activities are capable of wreaking havoc and destroying forever America's sense of invulnerability? There was such a group and this is exactly what happened on September 11, 2001. A relatively small group of single-minded, devout, dedicated fundamentalist Muslims, consumed by their terrorist efforts and goals proved that if anyone wanted to "get Americans" they would find a way. They would accomplish what 50 years of the "Cold War" failed to do. And all of America's missiles and sophisticated weaponry would be as useless as a rubber crutch.

These men, while they may seem to be "crazy" are far from it. Many are well-educated, wealthy, devout as well as crafty and cunning and are to be taken seriously. They must be respected because of their dedication and absorption in their beliefs which makes them fearsome and dangerous. Without their religious zeal which buoys their spirits and morale, their efforts would be less than successful maybe even tragic and laughable.

Ms Devji's book, "The Mad Messiah" introduces us to some of the men and leaders of this group, Al Qaeda. She spells out their devotion to their goals and their world as well as their own view of reality. She has given the reader a rudimentary and much needed explanation of some of these menh, their religion, their family backgrounds in an easy to read manner. In addition the book is an excellent example of a well-written and well-researched work. The author is to be praised and complimented for providing this services to the reader.

Anyone who wirtnessed the destruction of the World Trade Center-and who has not? - can easily identify with Ms. Devji's stunned disbelief as she describes this event. She has captured the core and essence of our reactions on that day of infamy. Her words echo the feelings of sadness we all experienced. This book is an excellent primer for anyone who wants to know who the men of Al Qaeda are and their dedication their their own peculiar and virulent strain of Islam.

Can you imagine a "rag-tag" band of crackpots whose movements and activities remind one of laughable and outrageous scenes from a Marx Brothers film or from the Keystone Kops but whose activities are capable of wreaking havoc and destroying forever America's sense of invulnerability? There was such a group and this is exactly what happened on September 11, 2001. A relatively small group of single-minded, devout, dedicated fundamentalist Mulims, consumed by their terrorist efforts and goals proved that if anyone wanted to "get Americans" they would find a way. they would accomplish what 50 years of the "Cold War" failed to do. And all of America's missiles, and sophisticated weaponry would be no more useful than a rubber crutch.

These men, while they may seem to be "crazy" are far from it. Many are well-educated, wealthy, devout as well as crafty and cunning and are to be taken seriously. They must be respected because of their dedication and absorption in their beliefs which makes them fearsome and dangerous. Without their religious zeal which buoys their spirits and morale, their efforts would be less than successful even tragic and laughable.

Ms. Devji's book, "The Mad Messiah" introduces us to some of the men and leaders of this group, Al Qaeda. She spells out their devotion to their goals and their world as well as their own view of reality. She has given to reader a rudimentary and much needed explanation of some of these men, their religion, their family backgrounds in an easy to read manner. In addition the book is an excellent example of a well-written and well-researched work. The author is to be praised and complimented for providing this wservice to the reader.

Anyone who witnessed the destruction of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center - and who has not?- can easily identify with Ms. Devji's stunned disbelief as she describes this event. She has captured the core and essence of our reactions to that day of supreme tragedy. Her words echo the feelings of tragedy we all experienced. This book is an excellent primer for anyone who wants to know who the men of Al Qaeda are and their dedication to their own peculiar and virulent version of Islam.