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Summary: New Jackals strike fear
Review: Authored by a British investigative journalist, this is an intriguing account of terrorism against the US by Ramzi Yousef and Osama Bin Laden. Based on previously unpublished documents and on interviews with FBI agents, Western intelligence sources, and Yousef's victims and associates, the book traces the roots of Islamist terrorism to the "Blowback" from US support for Mujahidin fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. A blow-by-blow account details Yousef's actions leading to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, his escape to Pakistan, plots to plant explosives on US airliners, and capture and imprisonment. Included is an in-depth analysis of Yousef's ethnic origins, motivation to commit terrorism, and ties to Bin Laden's terror network. Next the book focuses on Bin Laden, his role in the Afghan war, motivation to establish al-Qaida to fight a holy war against the US, and his role in the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Yousef and Bin Laden are seen as the first of a new breed of terrorists, seeking weapons of mass destruction and willing to die for their cause. This disheartening book is full of warnings about the future. Recommended at all levels.
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Summary: Excellent investigation of our public enemy number 1
Review: I find it astonishing that this is the first good book to comeout on Osama bin Laden and Ramzi Yousef. President Clinton hasidentified bin Laden as America's number one terrorist threat, and yet nobody in the so-called 'serious media' has really bothered to investigate the guy. Thankfully we now have this excellent book, which gets behind the headlines and explains bin Laden's motivation and anger. I found the details of his early years fascinating, especially since the US media have conspicuously failed to explain why he keeps bombing (or trying to bomb) American embassies and kill US servicemen and women around the world. More than half the book is about Ramzi Yousef, who the author describes as the first soldier bin Laden sent against the West. I found the details of Yousef's crimes absolutely astonishing - if there was a terrorist league table, then Yousef would surely be at number one. Excellent book. I recommend it to anyone interested in international affairs. I hope the President will read it to understand why people like bin Laden are so angry with the USA (what can we expect if we support undemocratic regimes like the Saudi government).
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Summary: Essential reading for 911 witnesses
Review: This book proves that a gum shoe journalist can have a clearer understanding of this issue than the US administration - with all the zillions it spends on defence. As Mr Reeve indicates, it is quite possible that other intelligence agencies [eg. the Israelis] were more aware of what was coming than the US authorities. It was certainly in Israel's interests to keep quiet and thereby bring the US into their war - as they would see it. For anyone trying to make sense of the senseless events of 911 - I would recommend this book.
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