Satanic Purses: Money, Myth, And Misinformation in the War on Terror [Hardcover]

R. T. Naylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2006

Although there has been criticism of some aspects of the American governments understanding of and response to 9/11, Satanic Purses takes the story much further. In a savage critique, R.T. Naylor exposes the official story, and the resulting global War on Islamic Terror, as based on myth, misinformation, and even deliberate disinformation - all of it premised on misguided notions about the nature of terrorist financing and the structure and organization of terrorist groups. Naylor argues that bin Ladens role in various terrorist outrages has been grossly exaggerated and that the idea of al-Qaidah as a well-financed, centrally directed movement is a fable akin to misconceptions about the Mafia. He also demystifies the notion of a great anti-Western Islamic resurgence and analyses how and why a story so contrary to easily verifiable reality was concocted and accepted. As Satanic Purses makes clear, the myths surrounding the war on terror, particularly the alleged existence of hordes of Islamic terror dollars, have led Western countries, particularly the US, to policies that create death and disorder abroad and the loss of due process and privacy at home. Naylor shows that the secret agendas behind, and the private interests that profit from, an illusory War on Terror may be far more dangerous than the events that led to it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A counterblast to the conventional wisdom and mythologized history of Al-Qaeda that dismantles taken-for-granted assumptions." Michael Levi, Cardiff University "Transcending conventional misunderstandings, Naylor shows how some of our policies are built on a thin patch of ice. Irreverent and satirical in tone, his book is a counter-balance to too much that is taken for granted - even by many who should know better." Nikos Passas, College of Criminal Justice, Northeastern University

About the Author

Historian, criminologist, and political economist, R.T. Naylor is professor of economics at McGill University where his main fields of research are black markets, smuggling, and international financial crime. He is the author of many books including Hot M

Product Details

• Hardcover: 430 pages
• Publisher: Mcgill Queens Univ Pr; 1st ed edition (August 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773531505
• ISBN-13: 978-0773531505
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,043,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Satanic Purses" is a thoroughly 'reader friendly' presentation March 3, 2007

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

R.T. Nayor is an expert on money laundering, the underground economy, and terrorism. In "Satanic Purses: Money, Myth, And Misinformation In The War On Terror" he applies his extensive experience and expertise to debunk commonly held myths about how Islamic terrorist groups like Al Qaidah, Hamas, Hezbollah, and others finance their operations. Misinformation, propaganda, misconceptions, and flawed intelligence are to be found in every war, but the War On Terrorism has been particularly plagued with untruths, lies, mistakes, misunderstandings, governmental manipulation, and more. Critically important reading for policy makers, academia, and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in understanding the financial issues of terrorism, "Satanic Purses" is a thoroughly 'reader friendly' presentation that will go far in correcting the confusion and misrepresentations that have evolved over the past six years with respect to the on-going global terrorist war with respect to the finances of both stateless and state-sponsored terrorist groups.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Al Qaeda Money Machine that Never Was January 4, 2007

By Michael Hoffman

Format:Hardcover

Far from a rant, Taylor's vital book deals in substantive issues of finance and liberty and establishes the criminal folly of current US policy toward Islamic nations based on the myth of an Al Qaeda monolith. If blind obedience to central government is your definition of patriotism, this work is not for you. But if you want to extend Noam Chomsky's perspective on how "consent is manufactured" here is a valuable analytical sequel to that study, well-written and organized and in some respects, indispensable to understanding the disastrous impact of the US government's conspiracy theories and fables.

17 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mythologizing bin Laden and Other American Lies January 6, 2007

By H. Campbell

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Naylor's work is essential reading for anyone with a brain that refuses to accept the Bush/Fox/neocon poppycock that passes for "truth" in the now disgraced American media. He convincingly makes the case that bin Laden (who for some reason is rarely mentioned anymore, despite the fact he supposedly was the 9-11 "mastermind") is now used by everyone and their brother in order to solicit US funds and/or justification for an agenda. Worse, the so-caled security-justice apparatus in this country has been corrupted and prostituted to the point that half-baked sting operations are lauded as major victories agaianst a fatuous terrorism that exists primarily in the fevered imaginations of xenophobic right-wingers. Naylor paints a depressing but alas accurate portrayal of the United States and its overlord Israel as hypocritical and cynical manipulators of public opinion and myth. Naylor's book is required reading for all patriotic Americans who want to wrest this nation's soul back from the purvyors of intolerance and hate.