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Al-Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam
by Jason Burke
Product Group: Book
Publisher: I. B. Tauris (2004-10-01)
ISBN: 1850436665
EAN: 9781850436669
Dewy Decimal #: 327
Paperback: 304 pages
Release Date: 2004-09-09
SKU: 08060004
Condition: Like New As issued n
Comments: Paperback. Like new condition with no markings and no creases to spine or cover. Very slight wear to cover. Near fine copy.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Award-winning reporter Jason Burke shows how the threat from Islamic terrorism comes not from a single criminal mastermind, or even from one group. In this revealing account, he characterizes it is a broad movement with profound roots in the politics, societies and history of the Islamic world. Using hundreds of interviews and thousands of documents, Burke shows how "Al-Qaeda" is a convenient label applied misleadingly to a diverse, disorganized global movement dedicated to fighting a "cosmic battle" with the West. This is the definitive account of the mysterious organization, retelling its story from scratch and challenging many myths that threaten the very foundations of the "War on Terror."
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Book Description
Award-winning reporter Jason Burke shows how the threat from Islamic terrorism comes not from a single criminal mastermind, or even from one group. In this revealing account, he characterizes it is a broad movement with profound roots in the politics, societies and history of the Islamic world. Using hundreds of interviews and thousands of documents, Burke shows how "Al-Qaeda" is a convenient label applied misleadingly to a diverse, disorganized global movement dedicated to fighting a "cosmic battle" with the West. This is the definitive account of the mysterious organization, retelling its story from scratch and challenging many myths that threaten the very foundations of the "War on Terror."
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Customer Reviews
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Fantastic book!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-09-21
Fantastic book! What an extraordinary piece of investigative journalism. It's scary to think that there is little anyone can do today about "al-Qaeda." Even if they find and kill the top leaders, that won't do much since, as Burke argues, "al-Qaeda" and the modern Islamic militancy is not a formal group but an idea. More violence only helps the militants in their efforts to radicalize and mobilize more people. It's going to be a long and difficult battle, both physical and mental...
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Too many names, not enough understanding
Rating  (3)
Date: 2008-08-08
Marginally interesting account of Islamic terrorism, that is too densely populated with indistinguishable people and place names to really explain the history of Al-Qaeda. It is clear, as Burke says repeatedly, that Al-Qaeda is, if still existing, a very loosely-confederated group of Islamic radical leaders, surrounded by a second-tier "network of networks".
The good news is that the war on terrorism in Afghanistan has basically shut down the terrorist training camps there, the bad news is the war has radicalized the Islamic militants into new free-standing terrorists who still have many outlets for violence in the Mid-east and around the world.
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Excellent insight into global jihad philosophy
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-04-23
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book helped me make the philosophical transition from wanting to help my country by fighting in a Global War on Terrorism to accepting the reality that non-military actions will get better results for both the West and Islamic nations in the long run. The caveat is that the US and Western powers need to read, understand and apply the level of knowledge of global jihad that Burke presents.
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Know Your Enemy
Rating  (4)
Date: 2006-08-26
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Jason Burke's book is extremely well researched. His knowledge of various elements within Radical Islam is quite frankly scary. He's met the men responsible for germanating Qtub's ugly apyocalyptic interpretation of Jihad into a full fledged attack against the West. Until the early nineteen nineties Jihad was merely a continental struggle pitting dissaffected military messianic groups against alleged puppet governments. Al Queda changed the course of radical Islam and Burke was within a whiff of Osama for years prior to 9/11. While his time in Afghanistan certainly seems to have created a sense of diluted empathy for militant Sunni groups, Burke's ultimate thesis is a towering reminder that winning the military war against radicals will not be enough to redeem the enlightened path of histroy. The West and particularly America must strive to win the hearts and minds of moderate Muslims. The road to success in any conflict is understanding. In this conflict, like any other, we must know our enemy and Burke's book is a good addition to the said realm of understanding.
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Dont Judge it by its Cover
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-08-23
7 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book is a compilation of really good research (all footnoted), personal interviews, and eyewitness accounts of events that have occurred from 1990 forward. Mr. Burke's analysis is top notch, and accurate for the most part.
That's all jim-dandy, but what sets this book apart from the rest, is Mr.Burke's understanding of the religion of Islam, Muslims, and the extremist mindset. Generally, most authors lack knowledge of Islam, and thus draw incorrect conclusions.
The book is objectively written, with minimal personal opinions or diatribes. (That's a positive). I recommend this book as the definitive guide on Terrorism in the 21st century.
Having said that, the Conclusion chapter is bad, and seems to be written by a PR person. Conclusions that do not line up with what Mr.Burke said in the book...But aside from this, a good read.
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