The New Jackals: Ramzi Yousef, Osama bin Laden and the Future of Terrorism (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, the United States assisted in training the rebels fighting the Soviets. Little did it know that it was thereby paving the way for future terrorism. Reeve, an investigative journalist and freelance writer, explains how two men who eventually benefited from this military training have terrorized the world during the past decade. He argues that Ramzi Yousef, who masterminded the bombing of the World Trade Center, acted from a mixture of political and religious motives and shows that he was captured only through the hard work (and a little luck) of the FBI and other intelligence agencies around the world. Reeve also provides a better understanding of Osama bin Laden, who funds the terrorism movement (he is from an extremely wealthy family) and was responsible for the double U.S. Embassy bombing in Africa in 1998. Reeve argues that even if bin Laden were captured, someone else will take his place: "It is no longer a question of if terrorists will successfully use a weapon of mass destruction, but when." This ought to bring chills to your spine. Well written and researched, this belongs in public libraries.AMichael Sawyer, Northwestern Regional Lib., Elkin, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A compelling reconstruction... Mr Reeve's important work...is an outstanding account describing a terrible and growing peril" -- The Washington Times

"A painfully relevant book" -- Washington Post

"Compelling reading…rich in detail…brings to life a man who has rapidly emerged as the most reviled political figure since Hitler" -- New York Post

"The first truly original investigative work on the new generation of Islamic fundamentalists and the terrorists they have spawned" -- Ahmed Rashid, bestselling author of Taliban

"an intriguing account of terrorism against the US…in-depth analysis…full of warnings about the future. Recommended at all levels." -- Encyclopaedia Britannica

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (October 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555534074
• ISBN-13: 978-1555534073
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #874,215 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Reading, September 14, 2001

By	Book Maniac "Book Maniac" (NY, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This well written and informative book focuses in detail on the terrorist and military threats that the United States faces from people like Osama bin Laden. I thought the book was very good at discussing America's vulnerability to terrorism. What you do NOT get in this book is any kind of biography of Osama bin Laden himself or a sense of the goals and "mindset" of his oganization. This is essentially a technical terrorism book written for the layperson. For a book on the transnational Muslim fundamentalist movement itself which is causing so much heartbreak and devastation right now, I HEARTILY recommend Anthony J. Dennis's book "The Rise of the Islamic Empire and the Threat to the West" (also available through amazon.com) which eerily predicted and warned against the very events we are witnessing now. Both books are excellent and, together, make for complete reading of the issues in the headlines today.

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent investigation of our public enemy number 1, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

I find it astonishing that this is the first good book to comeout on Osama bin Laden and Ramzi Yousef.

President Clinton hasidentified bin Laden as America's number one terrorist threat, and yet nobody in the so-called 'serious media' has really bothered to investigate the guy. Thankfully we now have this excellent book, which gets behind the headlines and explains bin Laden's motivation and anger. I found the details of his early years fascinating, especially since the US media have conspicuously failed to explain why he keeps bombing (or trying to bomb) American embassies and kill US servicemen and women around the world.

More than half the book is about Ramzi Yousef, who the author describes as the first soldier bin Laden sent against the West. I found the details of Yousef's crimes absolutely astonishing - if there was a terrorist league table, then Yousef would surely be at number one.

Excellent book. I recommend it to anyone interested in international affairs. I hope the President will read it to understand why people like bin Laden are so angry with the USA (what can we expect if we support undemocratic regimes like the Saudi government).

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting and Eerie, September 12, 2001

By	Tim Smith (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews

...I have read this book before but the second reading is far more meaningful,educational, and insightful. It helps to explain the mentality of the "New Jackals, poisoned by political hatred and religious fervor... who have no qualms about mass killing." It clearly describes the initial bombing of the World Trade Center and the disappointment of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind and predecessor to Osami bin Laden, who had originally expected at least one of the towers to fall into the other and kill 250,000 people. After describing the investigation and manhunt to capture Yousef, author Simon Reeve traces the origins of this extreme and very real terrorism. He gives an enlightening background study of bin Laden that helps the reader understand the intelligence, resources, and deadly intent of this Afghan Arab who has been responsible for the terrorist war against the West that has now reached massive proportions. If it doesn't do anything else, this haunting and eerie warning should drive home to all who read it the serious reality that lies before us. It should certainly strenghthen our resolve to stand together and fight for the freedom we often take for granted.