Shop the Business Savings Event
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
Buy new:
-8% $24.00
FREE delivery Monday, January 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: Luxechant
$24.00 with 8 percent savings
List Price: $26.00
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Monday, January 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$24.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$24.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$5.77
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Clean copy. No major flaws. No highlighting, writing or underlining. Light to moderate shelf wear. Hassle-free returns. Email with any questions. Your satisfaction is our top priority. Clean copy. No major flaws. No highlighting, writing or underlining. Light to moderate shelf wear. Hassle-free returns. Email with any questions. Your satisfaction is our top priority. See less
FREE delivery Wednesday, January 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$24.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$24.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
$24.00 with 8 percent savings
List Price: $26.00
FREE pickup Monday, January 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

0.27 mi | MANASSAS 20110

How pickup works
Pick up from nearby pickup location
Step 1: Place Your Order
Select the “Pickup” option on the product page or during checkout.
Step 2: Receive Notification
Once your package is ready for pickup, you'll receive an email and app notification.
Step 3: Pick up
Bring your order ID or pickup code (if applicable) to your chosen pickup location to pick up your package.
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$24.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$24.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

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.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Peter L. Bergen
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader Hardcover – January 3, 2006

by Peter Bergen (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$24.00","priceAmount":24.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"24","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"6wfAwk1a8mM%2B0OW%2Bx%2FkqeJCV6VkfqNwKxhmMAUH5xxpFLpVPgiKYztNE5Qdo1tyNJMy8yuadpBMZwqjD%2BAVFIolcFuo0UBSJopQzAEwl718RPE5ub3tsHBz2Nc5QHW5P4V4agmXKp4L5fgyORquCWaLUZvNQn4GEkfUqmaBYQbOIMieLu141t%2BbBl79zPYCv","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$5.77","priceAmount":5.77,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"5","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"77","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"6wfAwk1a8mM%2B0OW%2Bx%2FkqeJCV6VkfqNwKAuh4Mha2A60c2ncmF6Anl%2FWKUhRbq4%2BH0aM%2BbQR8muuXchqX0L0OIKXJwMqEHsABYr7bgbiXg99RAYyb8KjmlJQZHDuEiaUmZ95FTeEnTiGoNBQ9zalX%2B%2FnNq3gzHa%2FDWkPsU7iDwiZrkUpt2FnlDYcJUtqj77sv","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}],"desktop_buybox_group_2":[{"displayPrice":"$24.00","priceAmount":24.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"24","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"6wfAwk1a8mM%2B0OW%2Bx%2FkqeJCV6VkfqNwKxhmMAUH5xxpFLpVPgiKYztNE5Qdo1tyNJMy8yuadpBMZwqjD%2BAVFIolcFuo0UBSJopQzAEwl718RPE5ub3tsHBz2Nc5QHW5P4V4agmXKp4L5fgyORquCWaLUZvNQn4GEkfUqmaBYQbOIMieLu141t%2BbBl79zPYCv","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"PICKUP","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":2}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Osama bin Laden has haunted the popular psyche and stymied the world's mightiest military for the last five years. Despite President Bush's declaration that he wanted bin Laden "dead or alive," despite being one of the world's most notorious men, and despite the barrage of coverage surrounding him, Osama bin Laden remains at large -- and shrouded in a fog of anecdote and myth, rumor and fact. Peter Bergen, author of the bestselling book Holy War, Inc., offers an astounding, unparalleled portrait of bin Laden, comprised of Bergen's own interviews with more than fifty people who have known bin Laden personally, from his brother-in-law to his high school English teacher to former members of al Qaeda. The resulting collage of voices and memories affords an unprecedented glimpse into the life and the true nature of the man directly responsible for the largest terror attack in history.No journalist knows more about Osama bin Laden than Peter Bergen. In 1997, well before bin Laden became a household name, Bergen met with him, and has since followed his activities closely. After an insightful introduction -- in which Bergen recounts how, at their meeting, bin Laden "presented himself as a soft-spoken cleric, rather than as the firebreathing leader of a global terrorist organization" -- Bergen stands aside to make way for the voices of dozens of people with firsthand, sometimes intimate experience with the al Qaeda leader.Current conventional wisdom seems to be that bin Laden and his organization have faded in importance, but Bergen argues urgently that that perspective is far from accurate -- indeed, each day that bin Laden remains free adds to al Qaeda's public relations triumph, for his legend only grows among his supporters. More concretely, he continues to provide broad strategic guidance for jihadists -- his many statements released on video or audio tape since 9/11, for instance, have exerted direct influence on terrorists' actions. In 2003 the world suffered more significant terror attacks than had occurred in a single year during the previous two decades -- and in 2004, the number of attacks doubled over 2003. In 2004, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, Iraq's most ferocious insurgent leader, pledged his allegiance to bin Laden, a sign of the continued importance of al Qaeda's leader.How did Osama bin Laden transform himself from a shy, polite, middle-of-his-class schoolboy to commander of the world's most formidable terrorist organization? Where was bin Laden on 9/11, and what was his reaction to it? How did he escape from Tora Bora? Is al Qaeda a top-down organization or a loose ideological alliance? What is it about this man that draws hundreds of thousands of followers, and makes men willing to fly airplanes into buildings at his command? This definitive and engaging portrait gives the American public its first true, enduring insight into a man who has declared us his greatest enemy.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Free Press
  4. Publication date
    January 3, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    6.2 x 1.3 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780743278911
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0743278911
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Frequently bought together

The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader
This item: The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader
$24.00
Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 13
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by Luxechant and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
American Zealots: Inside Right-Wing Domestic Terrorism (Columbia Studies in Terrorism and Irregular Warfare)
$25.48
Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 13
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by Blue Rose Seller and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Treatment
These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous set of slides
Next set of slides

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
46 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They appreciate the detailed account of Osama Bin Laden's movements and events, providing a good history of Al Qaeda. The book provides a narrative life of Osama bin Laden derived primarily from primary sources.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityInformation value
8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and providing a good understanding of Bin Laden. They appreciate the explanations of names and details.

"...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

"...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

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

7 customers mention "Information value"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and detailed. They appreciate the narrative life of Osama Bin Laden, derived from primary sources. The story is troubling and thoughtful, with excellent commentary throughout.

"...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

"...So i was interested from the start. Of course this IS an interesting topic! I finished the book and it's great!..." 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

"...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
    Helpful
     Report
  • 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
    Helpful
     Report
  • 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
    Helpful
     Report
  • Oliver
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Introduction to Bin Laden
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    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
    Helpful
     Report
  • Aviana
    3.0 out of 5 stars It’s an OK book to read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a good book but not the type
    of book I was trying to read. Just a lot of interviews.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Newton Ooi
    4.0 out of 5 stars A summary of testimonies
    Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    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
    Helpful
     Report
  • Will Jerom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superior work of journalism.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    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
    Helpful
     Report
  • 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.
    Helpful
     Report

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.
    Report