The Secret History of al Qæda
"Deeply researched, well reported and full of interesting and surprising analyses. It demands to be read."--Peter Bergen, author ofHoly War, Inc.andThe Osama Bin Laden I Know"Scholarly, analytical, objective, it is also intensely readable, being by far the best book on the subject."--Rt. Hon Tony Benn"This is chilling stuff, from a rendezvous with Osama Bin Laden in the Caves of Tora Bora to al Qaeda cryptology in cyber space, Atwan's account of how suicide bombers are made is particularly disturbing, but necessary reading, as too is his careful account of how recruiting takes place on the Internet. Many will no doubt be angered by his ability to convey the appeal of a frightening phenomenon, but Atwan is not afraid of controversy and by sharing his insights he is sending the message that unless we wise up al Qaeda will be the winner."--Dr. Rosemary Hollis, Director of Research, Chatham House"For the first time since the attacks of September 11th, the reading public is beginning to turn its attention to bin Laden--to his writings, to the bits of information that can be gleaned from those, like Atwan, who have spent time with him, and to his actions. This book is an important part of the picture that readers are now beginning to assemble. As it presents in stark language and without apology al Qaeda's reasoning and goals, it is a good starting point for responding to those claims."--Karen Greenberg, Director of the Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law and co-editor ofThe Torture Papers: The Road to Abu Ghraib