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The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Peter L. Bergen (Author), George Guidall (Narrator), Recorded Books (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 47 ratings
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The Osama bin Laden I Know is the definitive history of the world's most wanted man. Author Peter Bergen is CNN's terrorism analyst and an acclaimed journalist who actually spent time with bin Laden prior to the events of September 11, 2001. The book features interviews with people from each stage of bin Laden's life, from childhood to the present day, and reveals both formative moments and intimate details that reveal his character and personality. The only book of its kind, this is the authoritative account of al Qaeda's notorious leader.
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  1. Listening Length
    16 hours and 30 minutes
  2. Author
    Peter L. Bergen
  3. Narrator
    George Guidall
  4. Audible release date
    March 14, 2006
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Recorded Books
  7. ASIN
    B000F0UUF0
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 16 hours and 30 minutes
Author Peter L. Bergen
Narrator George Guidall
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 14, 2006
Publisher Recorded Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B000F0UUF0
Best Sellers Rank #286,295 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#145 in International Diplomacy (Audible Books & Originals)
#270 in Terrorism (Audible Books & Originals)
#716 in Islamic Social Studies

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
47 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book an OK read and very informative.

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ContentReading experience
6 customers mention "Content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content informative, troubling, and thoughtful. They also say the story is almost pity for an enemy at the end.

"...The story is troubling and thoughtful and by the end one almost feels pity for an enemy who in some circles will be regarded as a great hero for..." Read more

"...Now that i finished what do i think? Very interesting. To be honest i think people talk a lot of crap about this guy...." Read more

"...These little details and Peter Bergen's excellent commentary throughout the book help us to develop a profile of OBL and gain a better understanding..." Read more

"...Bergen has clearly done his homework, and this book provides the reader with a good understanding of who Bin Laden is and where he came from...." Read more

5 customers mention "Reading experience"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an OK and accessible read that provides a great wealth of information.

"...It is an accessible read which provides a great wealth of information...." Read more

"...I finished the book and it's great! the book itself is worth it because the writings of the 50 people the author met who met bin laden...." Read more

"It’s a good book but not the typeof book I was trying to read. Just a lot of interviews." Read more

"...The book is fairly easy reading, with a fair amount of explanation of names, places and events by the author to give a good history of Al Qaeda." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Timothy E. Kennelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2019
Verified Purchase
Greetings Readers,

This book provides a narrative life of OBL derived primarily from the primary sources. It is an accessible read which provides a great wealth of information. The story is troubling and thoughtful and by the end one almost feels pity for an enemy who in some circles will be regarded as a great hero for generations.

Enjoy.
One person found this helpful
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lena
4.0 out of 5 stars I was caught by the title
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2011
Verified Purchase
I'm a Muslim. As a Muslim we don't judge our Muslim brothers. So the media's attack on Osama bin Laden should not be something supported by Muslims.

I heard a lot of things about him, and i saw this book in the library, but when i saw this book here for like a Cent, i decided to buy it

Caught by the title. So i was interested from the start. Of course this IS an interesting topic!

I finished the book and it's great! the book itself is worth it because the writings of the 50 people the author met who met bin laden. The author's opinions in my opinion, is garbage for the most part, but at the same time i think he tried to understand Bin laden and was as fair as he could be and i respect that

Now that i finished what do i think? Very interesting. To be honest i think people talk a lot of crap about this guy. Based on the book he was kind, pious, and was against killing innocent people. He loved Allah and his rasool (may peace be upon him) and he loved Islam very much.

I think a Muslim will understand and get a lot of things in this book a non Muslim just wouldn't understand...

great book, low price, really low price most of what i paid was shipping
3 people found this helpful
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Michael D. Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BIN LADEN BOOK OUT THERE!
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2006
Verified Purchase
I've read just about every credible book out there on Osama Bin Laden(OBL)and I think this one is by far "THE BEST." What I particularly like about this book is it's approach - the snapshots in time, the individual personal remembrances that give fascinating little details into the personality and character of OBL. These little details and Peter Bergen's excellent commentary throughout the book help us to develop a profile of OBL and gain a better understanding of who he is and what made him into the person he is today. As a former military analyst this is fascinating stuff, but don't just take my word for it - READ THIS BOOK!
11 people found this helpful
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Oliver
5.0 out of 5 stars An Introduction to Bin Laden
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2007
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Peter Bergen is a journalist, so it is not surprising that this book is a collection of brief interviews or quotes rather than one long narrative. The interviews are arranged chronologically, with some comments by Bergen interspersed to make a more cohesive and readable book. Bergen has clearly done his homework, and this book provides the reader with a good understanding of who Bin Laden is and where he came from. Now if Bergen could just tell us where to find Bin Laden today . . .
4 people found this helpful
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Will Jerom
5.0 out of 5 stars Superior work of journalism.
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2006
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One hesitates to give five stars to anything, because no book is perfect (4 and a half stars?). Nonetheless, Bergen's book is a convincing and well-documented account of Osama bin Laden, his youth, his developing radical outlook, set within the context of his family, and his major infuences - such as Abdullah Azzam and Ayman al Zawahiri. Anyone seeking to comprehend bin Laden should be pleased with this work. Bergen portrays bin Laden without glamorizing or demonizing, but showing bin Laden for what he is.
5 people found this helpful
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Aviana
3.0 out of 5 stars It’s an OK book to read
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
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It’s a good book but not the type
of book I was trying to read. Just a lot of interviews.
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Newton Ooi
4.0 out of 5 stars A summary of testimonies
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2009
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Peter Bergen is one of the few western journalists to have interviewed Osama Bin laden in person, and as such, can offer insight into this man that few others can. This book is a portrait of bin Laden as created from the accounts of numerous individuals who have met the man. These include family friends, family members, former bodyguards, work colleagues, childhood friends, journalists, politicians, and businessmen. The book chronicles bin Laden's life and "career" in terrorism chronologically, using the words and reflections of those who knew him, instead of relaying Mr. Bergen's personal opinion. What comes across is a man of focus and perseverance; one who gladly sacrifices his own safety and luxury as a way of inspiring his followers to do more. The book is fairly easy reading, with a fair amount of explanation of names, places and events by the author to give a good history of Al Qaeda.
One person found this helpful
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S. Gyuris
5.0 out of 5 stars The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2007
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the contents of this book, it is very informative. Peter Bergen gets into deep detail regarding O. Bin Laden's past and whereabouts before 9/11. However, sometimes I felt it had too much detail that didn't really had to be included in the book. One thing is for sure, Peter Bergen is the journalist to ask about O. Bin Laden. He has credibility.
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Top reviews from other countries

Simon baker
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
A damm good read.
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