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Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam Hardcover – May 15, 2011

by J. M. Berger (Author)

19 customer reviews

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They are Americans, and they are mujahideen. Hundreds of men from every imaginable background have walked away from the traditional American dream to volunteer for battle in the name of Islam. Some have taken part in foreign wars that aligned with U.S. interests, while others have carried out violence against Westerners abroad, fought against the U.S. military, and even plotted terrorist attacks on American soil. This story plays out over decades and continents: from the Americans who took part in the siege of Mecca in 1979 through conflicts in Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, and continuing today in Afghanistan and Somalia.

Investigative journalist J. M. Berger profiles numerous fighters, including some who joined al Qaeda and others who chose a different path. In these pages he portrays, among others, Abdullah Rashid, who fought the Soviets in Afghanistan; Mohammed Loay Bayazid, who was present at the founding of al Qaeda; Ismail Royer, who fought in Bosnia and Kashmir, then returned to run training camps in the United States; Adam Gadahn, a Jewish Californian who is now al Qaeda’s chief spokesman; and Anwar Awlaki, the Yemeni-American imam with links to 9/11 who is now considered one of the biggest threats to America’s security.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker Berger (Triple Cross) lifts the veil on the phenomenon of American jihadists in this timely and chilling examination. While most Americans were shocked when John Walker Lindh, the "American Taliban" and a U.S. citizen, was captured in Afghanistan in 2001, American citizens had been joining the international jihad for decades—Berger argues that at least 1,400 Americans have taken part in military jihad over the past 30 years. While most activity has taken place abroad, American jihadists also have struck at home—the 2009 Fort Hood, Tex., massacre, for example. Berger fears "it is likely that the American jihadist movement will succeed in a spectacular attack on home soil," and believes that knowing "why Americans take up the banner of jihad is the first step" will help to counter this problem. Drawing on detailed case studies of individual American jihadists, the author concludes that they are a diverse group and their "path to radicalization begins with a rock-solid belief that Muslims are a victim class." Berger's exposé painstakingly lays out the scope and character of the American jihadist movement and points the way to a national debate on solutions. (June)

Review

New York Times: "J. M. Berger's "Jihad Joe," a sober, factual account of the Americans who have been lured to the cause of religious violence, offers a useful reminder that this phenomenon is nothing new, long predating the Sept. 11 attacks. ... At a time when some politicians and pundits blur the line between Islam and terrorism, Berger, who knows this subject far better than the demagogues, sharply cautions against vilifying Muslim Americans. ... It is a timely warning from an expert who has not lost his perspective."

Zenpundit: "Berger's work is detail-packed and focused, and a useful resource for that reason alone. But it is also and specifically the work of someone who has read and talked with and listened to the people he is writing about, and his work carries their voices embedded in his own commentary. It thus joins such works as Jessica Stern's Terror in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill... Berger's is a book to read, certainly -- and more significantly perhaps, a book to admire."

Publisher's Weekly: "...Berger lifts the veil on the phenomenon of American jihadists in this timely and chilling examination. ... painstakingly lays out the scope and character of the American jihadist movement and points the way to a national debate on solutions."

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Product details

Hardcover: 280 pages
Publisher: Potomac Books; First Edition edition (May 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781597976930
ISBN-13: 978-1597976930
ASIN: 1597976938
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 19 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,429,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #405 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Fundamentalism
- #2592 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Terrorism
- #4125 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam

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A Great Story Needing to be Told and Understood

July 12, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is an good and comprehensive overview of the Americans who have fought overseas and within our borders for the cause of intentional jihadism. Berger sheds light on people and stories - especially from the early years immediately after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the US covert support for the mujaheddin - that many likely never knew or hoped were never written about. It may seem a little dated now, since it was published in 2013, before much was known about the Times Square bomber, or the Boston Marathon bombing. Regardless, this is an enlightening account of an important story of what motivates American citizens or those given shelter here from repressive regimes the motivation to fight for an anti-American cause. Definitely recommend this book.

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sues

Very enjoyable.

August 5, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. I was expecting something more polemical, so the book's balance and moderate tone were appreciated. Berger has a very engaging style, and juggles massive amounts of information effectively, staying within a narrow scope. "Jihad Joe" is not an in-depth study of radicalization on all its diverse levels, rather, it examines cases of Americans, who for a wide variety of reasons, chose to engage in jihad, outside of the US, and within. There's an effective timeline here; beginning with examples prior to 9/11, and Berger is very good at compartmentalizing that world-changing event. An author with less focus might have become bogged down with what to include or exclude, but historical events flow very neatly within the narrative.
My only minor criticism is, I would have liked to see just a bit more discussion of the effect of humiliation, real or percieved, on the radicalization proccess. Since this is not a pyschological study of radicalization, it need not have been analyzed in clinical detail, but merely addressed in reference to the subjects and their choices.
I hope that Berger continues to write on this subject, which he clearly has a deep knowledge of. With Americans fighting in Syria as I write this, the world is providing ample material for another book.

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Junaid M. Afeef

A great read for young American Muslim community leaders in the 21st century

July 14, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I became active in community organizing within the American Muslim community in Illinois in the mid-1990s, and it is a bit disconcerting to learn of all the unsavory things that were going on right under our noses. My biggest takeaway from Mr. Berger's book is that my skeptical and critical view of my own faith community over the last 6 or 7 years is a healthy approach when trying to help what is still a very good community during very dark and troubling times.

It was interesting to see the distinction that our government made between jihadis and terrorists in the 1980s and very early 1990s. My own recollections post-9/11 is that any Muslims attempting to go overseas to fight would be considered a criminal even if the group being fought was not an American ally.

I would particularly recommend this book to young American Muslims who are just beginning to take on leadership roles in their mosques and other Muslim community organizations in the United States.

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Rodger Thompson

informative

June 7, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This very informative book helped me understand just how pervasive Islamic terrorism is in the United States. I was especially alarmed at the presence of training camps in this country.

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Jason

Very well researched

January 12, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I can't say enough complimentary things about this book. It's very well written, well researched and very informative. I look forward to reading other books by JM Berger.

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Kevin

Great read

December 22, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Berger does a fantastic job with this book. Keeps your attention throughout and provides many many examples.

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Polical Science Woman

Enlightening

November 24, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book is a well researched and detail packed. Berger documents how Americans have been a part of the jihad movement and Al-Qaida since its inception and examines the reasons for the attraction.

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Jihad Joe

July 2, 2011

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I heard about this book from a friend, and since I knew nothing about the subject I decided that this would be an opportunity to educate myself.Keeping the names straight proved to be a little difficult for me,but understanding the threat that looms before us is criticl. In my opinion all Americans should have access to this information.

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