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Abdel Bari Atwan

Secret History of Al-Qaida Hardcover – January 1, 2006

by Abdel Bari Atwan (Author)

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Drawing on unparalleled access to Osama bin Laden and his key associates, journalist Abdel Bari Atwan gives an incisive and timely account, the clearest we have so far, of the rise of the notorious terrorist organization, al Qaeda. In this lively narrative, the author establishes what al Qaeda is or has become, what it wants, what its capabilities are, and how the West can answer its complaints and challenges.

The only Western-based journalist to have spent time with Osama bin Laden, Atwan begins with an engrossing personal record of his 1996 trip to visit al Qaeda's founder and guide at his Tora Bora hideout. He takes an in-depth look at bin-Laden, presenting a nuanced portrait of the man and a description of his development as the prime exponent of jihad today. Atwan reveals how al Qaeda's radical departure from the classical terrorist/guerilla blueprint has enabled less adaptable efforts to neutralize it. The fanaticism of its fighters, and their willingness to kill and be killed, are matched by the leadership's opportunistic recruitment strategies and sophisticated understanding of psychology, media and new technology—including the use of the Internet for training, support and communications. Atwan's outspoken London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi, of which he is Editor-in-Chief, has been the vehicle of choice for the release of many al Qaeda electronic communiqués.

The Secret History of al Qaeda reveals events in Iraq and Saudi Arabia as watershed moments in the organization's evolution that are making it more dangerous by the day. Atwan efficiently charts how the concept of jihad is being refined and appropriated, how a new kind of leader has been made possible by al Qaeda's horizontal chain of command, the making of the suicide bomber as a permanent feature of a global holy war, al Qaeda's economic strategy, and how the war in Iraq has transformed that country into a breeding ground for the most ruthless and militant al Qaeda fighters to date.

Copub: Saqi Books

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Saqi Books Publishers
Publication date

January 1, 2006
Dimensions

5.75 x 0.79 x 8.62 inches
ISBN-10

0863567606
ISBN-13

978-0863567605
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Deeply researched, well reported and full of interesting and surprising analyses. It demands to be read."—Peter Bergen, author of Holy War, Inc. and The Osama Bin Laden I Know

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Abdel Bari Atwan, a Palestinian, has lived in London for thirty years and is Editor in Chief of Al-Quds al-Arabi.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Saqi Books Publishers; New ed. edition (January 1, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0863567606
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0863567605
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.79 x 8.62 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,893,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #301,391 in Social Sciences (Books)

Customer Reviews:
9 ratings

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Tim C

history of varying points of view Vital!

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2014

Verified Purchase

written from a direction not typical of western media. gives insight seldom heard. from the hand of a man who has been behind 'enemy lines' gives pause as to who the enemy is.

One person found this helpful

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William Robbins

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2015

Verified Purchase

Well written.

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edsetiadi

Brilliant book written by one of only a handful of journalists who have interviewed Bin Laden in person

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2013

How frightening it is to read the history of an extremist group and learn that despite the casualties, the destructions and the terror they have caused; their condemned actions have a good underlying reason.

As one of only a handful of journalists who have interviewed Osama Bin Laden in person, Abdel-Bari Atwan wrote this book based on his first-hand knowledge from visiting Al Qaeda camps and interviewing key players, among other in-depth researches. And his findings are intriguing.

What begins as a fight against the corrupt oil-rich Saudi government, the Zionist state of Israel and US foreign policy to control the Middle East; Al Qaeda has evolved from a regional radical organization fighting for oppressed Muslims, to become a global ideological umbrella with many small cells all over the world, conducting complex financing and mastery over the cyber world. The growth and violence are inevitable, especially after the US-led coalition invade Iraq with no legitimate reason, killing hundred of thousands of civilians and destroying the country into a total mess.

What struck me most with this book is the psychology of suicide bombing. How the worst socio-economic and political conditions leave many people with no other option whatsoever in their lives other than to fight against the regime that have killed their family and friends, and destroyed their home and country; by becoming a suicide bomber.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Defend Islamic terrorsits without giving any solutions

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2012

This book starts well with an interesting interview with bin Laden. Unfortunately, the author defends too much al Qaeda acts without giving any solutions to Islamic terrorism. The author suggests that US foreign policies, especially Afghan War and Iraq War, are to blame for the rise of Islamic terrorism. However, al Qaeda started terrorist attacks BEFORE these wars not after these wars. Sometimes the author acts as a propaganda piece of terrorists. For example, orthodox Islamic scholars condemn suicide bombers. The book seems to suggest that its use is understandable. At one place (page 94) the book indicates that 9/11 attack had a very high, efficient KILL RATE. Anyone with conscience will have problems with that since almost all died were innocent civilians, some were even Muslims.

The analysis of the book is false. It was written at the height of al Qaeda. Several years have passed, al Qaeda is on decline in contradiction to the author's prediction. This book offers little value.

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077

Typical bias Arab perspective

Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2008

We must first look at ourselves before casting blame on others. Atwan's apologist al-Qaeda viewpoint is typical of the Arab "moderates; "I don't agree with the violence by al-Qaeda, but I understand it". Atwan's obvious disdain for the West (for which he profits immensely from its freedoms), is apparent in this book. He tries to explain away the violence committed by AQ and others against alleged oppressors (but fails to mention the thousands of Muslims killed by AQ), by blaming U.S. foreign policy. Even going as far as employing the age old Arab conspiracy theory of CIA-Mossad missions to undermined the Arabic culture.

Not one criticism of Middle East regimes unless it is in the context of U.S. foreign policy. Ruthless Arab dictatorships are simply propped up by the U.S., there is no mention of Britain or France's involvement in the Levant and what has led to the tensions we see today.

While the U.S. is boiling with arguments over its military engagement in Iraq, very little substance is being discussed in the Middle East about radical Islam. Atwan suffers from the same conspiracy laden victim theory spouted that we (the Arab world), cannot be so screwed up. Someone else must be to blame!!

Don't waste your time with this book, look at Peter Bergen's or Rohan Gunaratna's writings instead. They give a better description of AQ as an organization without such bias underpinnings.

8 people found this helpful

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