Certainly a unique book, this latest work by David Ray Griffin deserves a wider audience than it may possibly get. Despite evidently encompassing a majority of the American public, the 9/11 truth movement remains currently marginalised by the mainstream media. Griffin himself recently appeared on a religious-themed BBC chat show to discuss issues regarding 9/11, and had his words framed with shots of the official-story booster interviewer making `surely you can't be serious' faces throughout. There's a weird comedy involved in seeing the mainstream press attempt to paint Griffin as a kook, when even the vaguest cursory examination of factual events shows the official story to be composed of misdirection, bluster and distortion, and Griffin's work to be scrupulously thoughtful, well-researched and accurate.
Griffin's earlier THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT: OMISSIONS AND DISTORTIONS is a highly recommended volume as it methodically exposes the inarguable misdirection and elaborate stupidity of the official government-approved story in an easy-to-follow manner, right down to Griffin deconstructing the language used in the official report to show self-contained `blunders' or `errors' in the writing that seem deliberately placed there by the Commission Report authors to obscure weaknesses in the official story that couldn't be covered-up in any other way. (As I noted in my review of Griffin's earlier book, there are sections in the official Report that had me laughing at the gall of the Commission authors once I observed the sections that Griffin notes - read his book to see what I mean). Griffin's OMISSIONS AND DISTORTIONS volume convinced me of the pleasantly high quality of his writing, and made me receptive to following the arguments in this new book. I'm not currently that religious, so I was prepared to scratch my chin at some of the eventual theological material here, but I needn't have worried. The religious content in CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE TRUTH BEHIND 9/11 works as background to and support for Griffin's larger argument, which is mainly occupied with critiquing the role of imperialist regimes and nations. Amid a wide-ranging discussion, Griffin notes how 9/11 is just the latest tool used by cynical, corrupt elites to bludgeon the masses towards an unwelcome destination. To my mind, non-religious people can, if they like, view the presence of theological moments in this volume (all in themselves noticeably more interesting and thoughtful than anticipated - Griffin's critical thinking remains pleasantly intact) as a poetic method to deal with the ugly, black void of immeasurable cynicism and cruelty that doubtlessly swirls inside the hearts of thuggish troublemakers like Dick Cheney. (Note - I find it genuinely unfair that my sister's faithful, intelligent and affectionate blue-heeler dog died the other day, but Dick Cheney, who has suffered multiple heart attacks and who wields with Rumsfeld and a few others much of the burden of suspicion surrounding the deep, long-term planning of the 9/11 attacks, is still going strong as I write this. See pages 460-462 of Jim Marrs' excellent THE TERROR CONSPIRACY - also available on Amazon - for guest contributor Barbara Honegger's convincing naming-of-names to get a reasonable approximation of the whole honor roll of 9/11 conspirators likely present in and around the current US government).
All up, Griffin's latest remains a solid and important book about 9/11. CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE TRUTH BEHIND 9/11 opens with an incredibly strong summary of documented European false-flag activity, covering Gladio, the Brabant massacres, and the Counter-Guerilla attacks in Turkey (where fascist troops, at the request of the Pentagon and CIA, attacked, raped and executed innocent Kurdish villagers). Griffin also slams the US Department of State's disgusting, non-committal, face-saving `rebuttal' of their own documented involvement in those atrocities, noting how the US Government is reduced to quoting Iran / Contra conspirator Michael Ledeen and a vague, 13 year old quote from Jonathan Kwitny in THE NATION, whilst those `rebuttals' are contradicted by statements made by ex-CIA deputy director Ray Cline, among others. I'm not surprised that the US Department of State is embarrassed by its own history here, and it's easy to see why elements of the US Government are viewed with suspicion and disgust in others countries, even prior to the thoroughly vile and cynical behaviour of the current Bush administration.
Griffin then continues with the best (lengthy, interview and transcript heavy) discussion of the collapse of the WTC buildings I've yet read in print. Firefighter William Reynolds swore at his battalion chief to evacuate the north tower as "..they blew up the other one." Another firefighter, Louie Cacchioli, walked out of the later hearings in disgust when the 9/11 Commission member's aggressive distortion and slanting of his words became obvious. (The Kean / Zelikow / Hamilton cover-up here shows its true colors again as a PR whitewash more interested in reassuring the public of the validity of the Bush administration's story than conducting anything resembling an actual investigation). Griffin's gentleman tendency towards restraint and understatement allows for a memorable phrase when he notes how much of the testimony of firefighters and key eyewitnesses is "..in strong tension with the official story".
The theological section of the book isn't too long, but strikes me as the work of a man attempting to come to grips with evidence of major deceit and corruption, and using everything in his arsenal to document and attack it. Griffin makes clever analogies between the behavior of earlier Christian writers and their struggles under Imperial Rome, noting how Rome itself used terrorist-style threats and acts of aggression when it suited. There's much to digest here, and I like how Griffin keeps largely away from the dreamy, semi-fictitious elements of religious thought and towards things backed up by historical documentation, even going so far as to place some early Christian writing in the light of the economic realities of the times. I learnt a number of things here that I didn't expect to, and find myself in the position where I'd be receptive to reading an entire book by Griffin on theology, just for the unexpectedly welcome mental workout. Griffin's theological comments branch out to include discussion of philosophy and politics. He's an excellent writer and I was impressed by the depth of his thinking here.
Griffin's closing chapters return to tackling the harsh realities of the NeoCons, the Project for a New American Century and the cynical imperialist ambitions of the Bush administration in a clear and perceptive manner. As with the rest of the book, Griffin makes reference to a wide range of useful political books and articles, including, for example, Naomi Klein and accomplished anti-nuclear campaigner Helen Caldicott. Griffin makes the point that a true `global democracy', rather than the mock façade of compassion and assistance used by Bush to mask an aggressive corporate agenda, is a likely necessity if we are to survive the various forthcoming environmental crises of the 21st century.
I've only touched on some of the valuable and thought-provoking material to be found in this volume. In just a short amount of time Griffin has moved high up into my list of personal favorite writers, and he maintains that level of quality here. I'd be happy if this book was embraced by religious and non-religious people alike, as I think it definitely warrants the attention of both. This is a book I look forward to reading again.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
This item: Christian Faith and the Truth behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action
$12.40
Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 20
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
$24.69
Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 20
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
- The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions about the Bush Administration and 9/11Paperback$12.73 shippingGet it as soon as Monday, Jan 20Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
- 9/11 Unmasked: An International Review Panel InvestigationDavid Ray GriffinPaperback$13.32 shippingOnly 14 left in stock (more on the way).
- Bush and Cheney: How they Ruined America and the WorldPaperback$13.83 shippingGet it as soon as Thursday, Jan 16Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
- 9/11 Ten Years LaterPaperback$13.53 shippingGet it as soon as Thursday, Jan 16Only 2 left in stock - order soon.
About the author
Top reviews from other countries
-
Rene AdlerReviewed in Germany on October 10, 2014
"Wenn du das Unmögliche ausgeschlossen hast, dann ist das, was übrigbleibt, die Wahrheit, wie unwahrscheinlich sie auch ist."
