Inside Al Qaeda

Rating:
Summary: A Necessary Supplement to the Evening News
Review: (By Edward Trimnell, author of "Why You Need a Foreign Language & How to Learn One," ISBN: 1591133343)

"Inside Al Qaeda" tells the story of Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. If you watch CNN, you will already be familiar with much of the material in this book. However, the author puts the pieces together in an authoritative manner, providing additional commentary that is necessary in order to really understand Al Qaeda and the rise of militant Islam.

Gunaratna tells the story of an Osama Bin Laden who is resourceful, cunning, and willing to kill fellow Muslims as well as Christians and Jews in order to accomplish his aims. The author also reveals the self-serving motives behind so many of Bin Laden's actions. Bin Ladin became an outlaw following a rebuff from the leaders of his own country, who did not agree to entrust the security of Saudi Arabia to him following Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Bin Laden's sense of a personal mission, and his tendencies toward megalomania, are apparent throughout the book.

The book also contains many insights into the mindset of Bin Laden's followers. As a Westerner who had minimal knowledge of the Islamist movement, I found these sections to be particularly enlightening.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: An excellent authoritative account of the roots of Al-Qaeda, its motives, and its ideology. I saw some complaints about Gunaratna's authority on the topic, and I believe that as an intelligence specialist for the Sri Lankan government, he has as much background on terrorism and terrorist tactics as anyone around. Sri Lanka has been mired in one of the worst terrorist situations in the world for many many years, so I have trust in his assessment of the Al-Qaeda threat. Another large plus of this book is the extensive attention to detail and citing of sources. It's nice to see someone putting forth the facts and telling you the source of the information (the New York Times could learn an important lesson from writers like this).

Great book! A+!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: An excellent authoritative account of the roots of Al-Qaeda, its motives, and its ideology. I saw some complaints about Gunaratna's authority on the topic, and I believe that as an intelligence specialist for the Sri Lankan government, he has as much background on terrorism and terrorist tactics as anyone around. Sri Lanka has been mired in one of the worst terrorist situations in the world for many many years, so I have trust in his assessment of the Al-Qaeda threat. Another large plus of this book is the extensive attention to detail and citing of sources. It's nice to see someone putting forth the facts and telling you the source of the information (the New York Times could learn an important lesson from writers like this).

Great book! A+!

Rating:
Summary: Authoritative and Well Researched Overview of Al Qaeda
Review: Excellent book. A well researched and overview of Al Qaeda. Provides excellent insights into the ideology and methods of operation for one of the world's most dangerous terrorist groups. Unlike other books on this subject, this work is superbly footnoted, perhaps reflecting the author's academic background. This is essential for a truly authoritative work of non-fiction, something sadly lacking in many other books in this genre. The section on Al Qaeda's operations in Southeast Asia is groundbreaking, providing information not seen anywhere else. Tellingly much of what the author described about Al Qaeda operations in Asia was subsequently demonstrated in spades in Bali last October. The general reader might find this book somewhat dense, the print is small and the reading somewhat dry. For the serious student of modern terrrorism, however, this book is a must have. Other authors should take a lesson from Gunaratna's footnoting. Well worth the price!!

Rating:
Summary: Al Qaeda is real
Review: I am vey disturbed by the reviewer below who claims that al qaeda is a front for the CIA and that George Bush perpetrated 9/11. While I have heard this conspiracy theory before, it is nevertheless disturbing every time I hear it. With that said, it is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Not only is it a preposterous accusation to make, but there is no evidence to back it up, no matter what this lunatic says. Fact-Osama Bin Laden is real, al-qaeda is real, they perpetrated 9/11. Osama Bin laden declared war on the US back in 1996 because of his perception of continued American agression against Muslims. He stated as his main grievances, 1)America's blind support for Israel 2)The presence of our infidel troops in the Holy Land (Saudi Arabia) 3) Our sanctions against Iraq. These along with many other incidents led Bin Laden to believe that the US is a crusader nation out to get the Muslims. For this reviewer to say that these people are not real is utterly ridiculous. As for there being no basis in Islam for terrorism, this is also not true. I do believe that most Muslims are peaceful, and that the religion of Islam does promote peace, Bin laden and his followers did not pull this Jihad concept out of thin air. There are several verses in the Quran that instruct it's followers to slay infidels, strike off their head, etc. I think it is fair to disagree with how this administration is going about the war on terror, but denying that terrorism exists and claiming that it is all "manufactured" by the CIA is the most delusional accusation ever made.

Rating:
Summary: Promptly Returned It (slightly revised)
Review: I bought this book with high hopes. I thought it might join the very small library of books that are authoritative accounts of Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda which aren't tainted with conspiracy theories.

I credit the author for not producing a book that blames Al-Qaeda for the accidental crash of TWA 800 and does not link Terry Nichols with Ramzi Yousef to "prove" a hidden hand behind the Oklahoma City Bombing.

What I have to fault him and his editors for are errors that rise above the category of "typos." I encountered two in reading just ten pages and for me that was enough to conclude that "Inside Al-Qaeda" desperately needs a heavy editing job that it will hopefully receive in later editions. Perhaps then it can truly claim to be an in-depth analysis of the world's most dangerous terrorist organization:

Error Number 1: The author confuses "ulema" (Islamic scholars) with "ummah" (the community of believers).

Error Number 2: The author refers to twenty hijackers going to their deaths on September 11. Excuse me? I think there have been about a million news stories that state there were 19 hijackers on September 11. I'd like to think that if this book had received a serious edit, such an incredibly glaring error would have stuck out like a neon sign. If I were a teacher grading the author's book like an academic paper, I'd mark him down half a grade for making a mistake like that.

{I'd also like to briefly respond to the argument that a close reading of the book would have revealed that the author was including Zacharias Moussaoui when he referred to the "twenty" hijackers. That cannot be correct. On page 7 of the book, the author categorically states that twenty hijackers went willingly to their deaths. Moussaoui is very much alive. So he could not have been one of the "twenty" men who died.}

There are some people who will probably disagree with me about this book. They may very well consider it to be very well written. But given the prices we pay these days for books, I think we readers deserve ones prepared with great care and mistakes like the ones I've cited above put "Inside Al-Qaeda" outside that category.

(note: In 2003, a paperback edition came out. I was sorry to see that the author and the publishers had still not corrected the "twenty" hijackers mistake. One is left with the impression that they just did not care about that basic error and that is another indictment of this book.)

Rating:
Summary: A Disappointing But Exhaustive Study of al-Qaeda
Review: It is shocking when a major university press publishes a book as sloppily edited as this one. In addition to the factual errors other reviewers have noted, there are numerous typos and sentence fragments. The notes at the back are also very inconsistent in their level of citation. All of this is particularly unfortunate, since the author clearly has amassed a great wealth of detail on al-Qaeda's worldwide operations, including much "new" evidence hitherto unpublished in English. But given the carelessness of so much of the editing, how can we be sure the author's information is accurate and trustworthy?

I did think this book had two virtues. The country-by-country survey of al-Qaeda operations gave a very thorough and complex picture of the ways in which al-Qaeda infiltrates and liaises with local groups and causes, while retaining its global ideology and focus. And the reporting is happily free of the America-centric emphasis of so much recent work on al-Qaeda. Although sympathetic to the American position, the author lets al-Qaeda 'speak for itself' and stresses the danger it poses in many countries, not just the United States.

Frankly, I would not allow such a shoddily edited book (obviously hastily rushed to press to capitalize on the current crisis) to be published under my name, particularly when I clearly had such a detailed command of a subject, as this author seems to.

Rating:
Summary: Readable Account of Al-Qaida as a Global Menace
Review: One of the earliest books on Al-Qaida that offers comprehensive insights into the organization's structure and activities. In terms of explaining the 'what', 'how', 'who' and 'where' behind Al-Qaida's operations, this book is impressive. However, compared with others in the discourse, the book is weak in explaining the 'why' behind the controversial role of Salafism and Al-Qaida's rise using Islam as a battle cry.

Rohan's book is among the first to highlight that Al-Qaida is focusing on Asia as its new theater of operations. The parts on Jemaah Islamiyya, arguably an Al-Qaida ally, is especially enlightening for its time. His readable exploration of Jemaah Islamiyya's operations in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore provides a concise overview of how Southeast Asia is one of the new fronts in the 'war against terror'.

Skeptics have myopically slammed the book citing the reason that Rohan is not an authority on the Middle East or Islam. However, the book is instead mainly about terrorism, and after reading Rohan's engaging book, it becomes clear to the reader that Rohan knows what he is writing about.


Rating:
Summary: Al-Qaeda is a Manufactured U.S. Intelligence Front
Review: Rohan Gunaratna's Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror only covers the same U.S. government fabricated lies reported by the mainstream media to the American public. From the September 11th attacks to hostages being kidnapped and decapitated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the state-controlled corporate media has feed the American public that these crimes were committed by "Islamic Terrorists" apart of or connected to Al-Qaeda. Throughout Gunaratna's book, he blames Islamic fundamentalism for the creation of the terrorist network Al-Qaeda. I have never read any Islamic rule in the Qur'an which allows the killing of innocent people whether they are Muslims, Christians or Jews, for any reason whatsoever. I have never read an Islamic rule which states that the killing of kidnapped hostages is allowed. All what I remember that Islam has to say in this matter is that somebody who kills a "believer" unlawfully is sanctioned the same as if he had killed all humanity. The word "believer" means "anyone who believes in God" in this context, not only Muslims. The Qur'an states that the place where faith in God is held, and equally where the faith in God is broken, is in the heart. The Qur'an states that nobody can read what is in the hearts of others, or judge them as a believers or disbelievers. Even if their hearts are cut open, it is not possible to know if a person is a believer or not. Knowledge in this matter belongs only to God and God alone. This should be understood as meaning that Islam expressly forbids killing for religious reasons. The Prophet Muhammad recommended good treatment for hostages and prisoners during the past Islamic wars. He said: "You should not kill an old man, a child, or a woman. You should not cut a tree or destroy a church..." Murdering and killing is outside of Islamic morals and principles, which are inviolable. This means that nobody has the right to put an end to another's life. While Islam expressly forbids suicide, it is still more acceptable to put an end to ones own life than to kill another person. What does the word "Al-Qaeda" mean ? In Arabic, "Al-Qaeda" has many different meanings, among them "Base", "Ground", "Norm", "Rule", "Fundament", "Grammar". The exact meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used. It depends on the word which follows "Al-Qaeda" in the sentence. "Qawa'ad Askaria" is an Army Base, "Qawa'ad Lugha" stands for Grammar Rules (the Bases of Grammar). "Qa'ada" is the infinitive of the verb "to sit". "Ma-Qa'ad" is a chair. "Al-Qaeda" is the base or fundament of something. "Ana raicha Al Qaeda" is colloquial for "I'm going to the toilet". A very common and widespread use of the word "Al-Qaeda" in different Arab countries in the public language is for the toilet bowl. This name comes from the Arabic verb "Qa'ada" which mean "to sit", pertinently, on the "Toilet Bowl". In most Arabs homes there are two kinds of toilets: "Al-Qaeda" also called the "Hamam Franji" or foreign toilet, and "Hamam Arabi" or "Arab toilet" which is a hole in the ground. Lest we forget it, the potty used by small children is called "Ma Qa'adia" or "Little Qaeda". Those who founded the International Terrorist Organization, Al-Qaeda, probably knew little about common use of Arabic language to know that by using this name for their organization, they risked becoming the laughing stock of everybody who speaks the Arabic "public" language. To kidnap, torture and execute people are terrorist actions which are in no way related to God or to Islam, and these actions are not rewarded by paradise as some ignorant Western media figures would like to believe. The terrorist event of New York 11 September 20001, and the terror event of Madrid on 11 March 2004, and other terror events commonly connected to Islam, are clearly not related to Islam if we consider that the Al-Qaeda terror organization was established by the CIA in the 1980s. Al-Qaeda is nothing but a convenient "Islamic" front which enables the CIA to commit crimes in the name of Muslims. It is well known that the Mujaheddin of Afghanistan were organized, trained and funded by the CIA using the Pakistani ISI in order to remove the Soviet Army out of Afghanistan. The Mujaheddin can be seen as CIA terrorism with an Islamic name and "Islamic" perpetrators. Afghanistan has, for all purposes, been destroyed by these fanatics in furtherance of American interests. The Al-Qaeda terror organization has caused immense damage to Islam, to Muslims worldwide and to the interests of the peoples of all Arab and Muslim countries. The actions of Al-Qaeda have only served to promote the interests of the U.S. and Israel, which is clearly interested in "reshaping" the Middle East in such a way that they can more easily rape and plunder the region at will. In fact the CIA is using the terrorist actions of its proxy Al-Qaeda in order to give the U.S. an excuse to extend their power into and invade other Arab countries, first countries with rich plunder (Oil) like Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and second any country which is a "threat" to Israel, or more exactly which Israel dislikes for whatever reason. The third objective for which the CIA is using its proxy Al-Qaeda is to engender fear and hate of Islam and Muslims worldwide. This corresponds to an old and tried ploy of colonizers: to slander and denigrate the target population so that it is acceptable and even called for to commit genocide against them. The peoples of Ireland, Africa and the Americas have all suffered this tragedy, and these regions have been colonized. The next obvious victims are Arabs and Muslims by extension because they live in geographic areas rich in oil and other natural resources, such as the poppy fields in Afghanistan. But as usual Americans are kept in the dark by their mind locked mainstream media, surely more warped than the state-controlled Soviet press ever was, and are spoon fed magical tales of evil Al-Qaeda deeds that threaten the security of our nation. The American people are smart enough to think for themselves and read through the lies. Each of us should investigate what really is going on concerning the US government's "War on Terrorism". Who was really responsible for the 9/11 attacks and what do they stand to gain? So in closing I would like to say that I deny that the terror practices of Al-`CIA'eda represent Islam and Muslims in any way. I'm against the instrumentalization of Islam and all Muslims by the CIA through their front organization Al-Qaeda with its leader CIA agent Tim Osman a.k.a. "Osama Bin Laden". This disgusting criminal gang has already caused too much death and suffering toward innocent people of all creeds in many lands. I reject the Al-Qaeda announcement to killing innocent people under the name of Islam and all Al-Qaeda practices, as these crimes are against humanity. These crimes are all steered from Washington D.C. by the CIA and they only represent U.S. policy.

Rating:
Summary: Not the Best Book, Not the Best Writer
Review: There have been some informed and insightful commentaries on the terrorism problem. This is not one of them. Gunaratna has no real background in Islamic studies or the Middle East and it shows. It might impress people who have no real knowledge of the terrorist problem, but it is likely only to mislead them. Gunaratna is a former intelligence officer for the Sri Lankan Government. With that war largely over, Gunaratna has jumped on the counter-terrorism bandwagon and is marketing himself as an expert on international terrorism. Whether you buy what he says here or elsewhere is up to you. Some of the inaccuracies in this book were highlighted in an article in the Australian newspaper The Age.