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Peter L. Bergen
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The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader Paperback – Bargain Price, August 8, 2006

by Peter L. Bergen (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
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No one knows more about Osama bin Laden than Peter Bergen. In 1997, well before the West suddenly became aware of the world's most sought-after terrorist, Bergen met with him and has followed his activities ever since.

Today, years after President Bush swore to get him dead or alive and despite haunting the popular imagination since September 11, 2001, bin Laden remains shrouded in mystery and obscured by a barrage of facts, details and myths. With numerous never-before-published interviews, The Osama Bin Laden I Know provides unprecedented insight into bin Laden's life and character drawing on the experiences of his most intimate acquaintances. This timely and important work gives readers their first true, enduring look at the man who has declared the West his greatest enemy.
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  1. Print length
    528 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Free Press
  4. Publication date
    August 8, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.3 x 8.44 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0743278925
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0743278928
  8. See all details
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4.4 out of 5 stars
46 global ratings

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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.

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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
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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
    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
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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
    Verified Purchase
    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
    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
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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
    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
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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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