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Summary: Bergen has written a classic!
Review: Peter L. Bergen is one heck of a reporter and he certainly shows his mettle in this well written, informative and all together enjoyable book, i.e., Holy War, Inc.: Inside The Secret World of Osama Bin Laden by Peter L. Bergen . Bergen has here taken wasts amount of information and managed to put it all in a book that is little over 200 pages. It does feel rough at times. However, one has to bear in mind that the book was originally scheduled to be released in May 2002 and September 11 changed all this and forced the author to release the book in a semi rough state. However, for being in the state that is, it is destined to become a classic in its genre and will be read for a long time to come. Highly Recommended.
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Summary: Good Book For a to the point analysis of Bin Laden
Review: Tells the Story of Bin Laden with facts and not fiction. Tells why he hates us and explores the creation of his group. Also shows us where his followers have fought and explores his connections to Chechnian fighters, Bosnian Muslims, Hizballah, and the Taliban. Also tells what he realy thinks of Saddam Hussein and his motivations.
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Summary: A solid overview of al-Qaeda, CNN-style
Review: Peter Bergin, as most readers are aware, was during the 1990s a highly regarded CNN correspondent, and his recent book Holy War, Inc. reads more like an in-depth journalistic report than a scholarly work. Depending on what the reader is hoping for, this statement may be interpreted as either a compliment or a criticism. But however one interprets this assessment, it should not be inferred that Bergen is not deeply knowledgeable in his subject matter, nor that his book is not thoroughly researched. It is simply a statement of fact that Holy War, Inc. is more reporting than analysis, and is sprinkled throughout with humorous anecdotes, wry wit, and introductions and digressions that at times give it the feel of a travel book as much as a serious work of social science.Having said that, Holy War, Inc. is an extremely readable, and for now authoritative, account of how Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization manages its global jihad against the West. The book is both an historical account and a current assessment, both a study of an individual and a study of an international terrorist network. Bergen traces how al-Qaeda grew from its roots in the Afghan resistance against the Soviet invasion to become a worldwide organization that masterminded, funded, and executed numerous terrorist activities around the globe. Throughout, Bergen provides a comprehensive overview of al-Qaeda's key players and carefully dissects how it carried out its acts of terror, including the east Africa embassy bombings, the attack on the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen, and the recent attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In the course of his writing, Bergen interviewed officials in American and foreign intelligence services, members of the al-Qaeda network, and most impressively, Osama bin Laden himself. Bergen devoted several years to the research and writing of this book, and the time and effort he put in are evident. What is also evident is that the publication date was pushed up by nine months in the aftermath of September 11. Originally scheduled to arrive in bookstores in summer 2002, Bergen finalized his manuscript in just two weeks after the recent attacks. While certainly more timely, the book is unpolished at points and could have benefited from a more thorough job of editing (at the very least for typos and punctuation). But this is a minor criticism of an otherwise highly commendable work, suitable for anyone seeking a broad overview of Osama bin Laden and his global terrorist network.
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Summary: Timely, insightful, intriguing...
Review: Without a doubt, Peter Bergen ahs written a compelling first-hand accounting of the rise of bin Laden, through his personal interviews with the man. The timing of the book, while rushed into printing shortly after 11 Sept, is certainly remarkable and serves to provide some much needed insight for the general reader on bin Laden.
Bergen's story, in places, echoes of the tales told by British adventurers to the Afghan region during the "Great Game" of the 19th Century. These anecodotal chapters of just actually trying to get to see bin Laden are illuminating in and of themselves.
Unfortunately, because of the timing of the release of the book, the last chapter, which details possible courses of action by the US against bin Laden, was a mere foreshadow of the ability of the ability of the United States (when compelled to action to prosecute such a galvanizing campaign) to hit bin Laden with sufficient force,on the other side of the planet. I dont think enough credit was given to the US military, especially with virtually the entire court of public opinion behind it.
One of the most striking analogies in the book can also be found in the last chapter--The Assassins from the 11th and 12th centuries. Once could argue al-Queda is destined for the same fate. This might have been better placed in a preface or intro chapter with more work done to provide a more in depth comparison.
Overall, an easy to follow book. Very timely, and Bergen has talked with the right people and has had extraordinary access to key figures in this drama. The book will be viewed as a one of a kind when history looks back at these events. The insight and exposure Bergen brought to the table was truly unique. A great read--highly recommended.
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Summary: Holy Cow!
Review: In "Holy War, Inc.," Peter Bergen paints a grim picture of Islamic terrorism today. Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network reaches around the globe and boasts thousands of members--with probably tens of thousands more willing to join. As we learned on September 11th, their single-minded goal is to exterminate Americans. Bergen's book is impressive. He spent years at it and traveled the world over to research it. He has interviewed many of the terrorists--including bin Laden himself--and their organizations. His background as a professional journalist comes in quite handy, and clearly shows in the very readable prose. Equally impressive was Bergen's ability to update his nearly completed manuscript with the latest September 11th attacks and rush the product to print. Talk about good timing. It is fascinating to read about the unique and tenuous structure of the deadly Al Qaeda network. Secrecy, brutality, and outside-the-box thinking helped keep the jumbled mix of fundamentalist "cells" together. With a seemingly inexhaustible supply of money, arms, suicidal volunteers, and plump Western targets, the terrorists have wreaked havoc for nearly two decades: Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tanzania, New York, Egypt, Afghanistan, Yemen, Kashmir, Kenya, Sudan, and on and on. It's easy to come away from "Holy War" with a sense of helpless despair. The good news is that despite their spectacular success with the Twin Towers, Al Qaeda's other efforts have been largely hapless and ineffective. Typically, their attacks kill more Muslims or other innocents than infidel Americans. And Bush Administration's commitment to their destruction has certainly helped dismantle their operations. In the long run, though, it will probably require a much stronger cry for peace from the moderate Muslim world to quell the radical blood quest. Let's hope they speak up soon. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
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Summary: A great book, but the index belongs in the book
Review: This is probably the easiest reading book on a complicated subject that I have ever read. Mr. Bergen is a compelling writer. One problem with the book is that there is no index in the book...it's on a website. And that's very inconvenient. Not too smart Simon & Schuster
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Summary: Excellent Overview of the Bin Laden Network
Review: Bergen has clearly done his homework and it shows. This book provides an excellent overview of Bin Laden and his terrorist network. Bergen manages to avoid much of the hyperbole that seems pervasive in similar books. The author's breezy writing style may be off putting to some more serious readers, however, on the whole this book is well worth reading. On the down side, it is clear that this book was rushed to print in the aftermath of September 11th, and it shows in the editing. Nonetheless this is a book worthy of your hard earned money.
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Summary: Solid reporting - we face a very deep and broad threat
Review: This book should be widely read. It should be read by anyone who wants to read solid reporting and the facts about the current conflict. Bergen provides us with compelling evidence that the current situation is deeper, broader, and even more serious than the popular media has led us to believe. It isn't that the media isn't spending enough minutes hyping everything about bin Laden. It's that the reporting on TV spends too much time on the easy and big images. In this book we are taken into how al Qaeda and Islamist movements have had agents trained not only to fly airplanes, but placed their people in our military - in the US ARMY! Bergen takes us to London and introduces us to key Islamist contacts and explains why that city is a base of operations for those who support the terrorists we are now fighting. We are also shown how other conflicts in the Middle East and around the world (including Kashmir, Chechnya, and the Philippines) are tied into this misery. These people are true believers who cannot be dissuaded from their long-term vision of a world power dominated by their extreme version of Islam. Daniel Pipes and Bernard Lewis have also written importantly on this last theme. This is a jam-packed book that helps us non-specialists get up to speed on a serious situation in a hurry. I not only recommend it, I urge you to read it. It isn't sensationalist in any way. It is a serious piece that is well written and ably presented. The only thing it doesn't provide that I wish it had is some pictures of the main protagonists. Maybe there aren't any. It would have been nice to see who the players are in supporting bin Laden's vision around the world and who are standing against him. But this is a small point and a quibble. These extremists are not after freedom, democracy, or human well-being as we understand that in the West. They are pursuing a vision that makes little sense to the western mind, but makes perfect sense to them. The question isn't about debating them. It is how do we render them incapable of inflicting that vision on others and prevent the destruction they so freely meet out in pursuit of their vision of the world. Each of us will have to come to our own conclusions about that, but being armed with the information provided in this book will help in coming to a better-informed opinion.
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Summary: HIGHLY readable, compelling and understandable
Review: A slew of books came out in the wake of 9/11. Some were eerily written before the WTC bombing. Others came out super-quick to capitalize on it. And others were long in the works. Some were seemingly cut-and-paste jobs -- and others were incredibly dry and boring, more suitable for those doing PhD research than for general readers seeking answers and easy-to-understand background.
But rest assured: Holy War, Inc. is THE book to understand Osama bin Laden and the terror war -- and it's a pleasure to read.
It has the solid information. And it is written in a highly compelling style, so much so that you'll hate to put it down. The bulk of the work on it was completed in August 2001 so it wasn't written quickly to cash in on the tragedy. It represents four years of solid investigative reporting, written by a journalist who truly KNOWS how to write...so you want to turn the page and read some more.
I firmly believe the stylistic pluses of this book can't be ignored for anyone who wants to find out more about Osama bin Laden and the new post-Sept. 11 world in which we all live. I personally have read --and suffered -- through some of the leading books on this subject. Although I'm a former journalist and no dummy (well, technically: I am now a fulltime ventriloquist)I had to drink lots of coffee to plow through some of these other books. And when I put some of these books down I wanted to LEAVE THEM THERE.
Bergen, CNN's terrorism expert, clearly has done his homework -- and presented it exceedingly well. This book clearly works highly successfully on SEVERAL LEVELS:
a)A vividly described account of how he interviewed key figures in the Jihadist terrorism network, including bin Laden himself. He describes traveling on the land, how key players look, and their attitudes. When you read these accounts, intricate word pictures are painted in your mind. It's as if you are THERE.
His description of Peshawar, Pakistan: "Seeking some relief from the noise and pollution, I paid a visit to the leafy graveyard where dozens of British officers and soldiers were buried."
On his meeting with bin Laden:"He is a tall man, well over six feet, his face dominated by an aquiline nose....he walked with a cane and seemed tired, less like a swaggering revolutionary than a Muslim ascetic...Those around him treated him with the utmost deference..."
b)Boilerplate material. The facts, figures and histories of some of these folks, their groups, their funding, and the countries (one less, as of this writing...) in which they overtly and covertly operate. All presented in an easy-to-read, journalistic style.
c)New investigative info: How bin Laden lives, travels and communicates with cells. Since 9/11 some of this material has been borrowed by other media as part of research -- but it has never been better presented than in this book.
d)A context in which readers can get some idea of what comes next. Indeed, the book came out right after 9/11 and in in the book's afterward Bergen states "we can be certain that al-Quaeda is planning another attack on an American target in a place no one expects."
But American citizens -- and policy makers -- should be able to anticipate things (as well as they can anticipate things) a lot better by reading Bergen's masterful, can't-put-it-down Holy War, Inc. A MUST read if you want to know what's really going on and how a lot of it started.
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Summary: The "Cliff Notes" to Osama bin Laden
Review: Peter Bergen's "Holy War Inc" attempts to condense 4 years of reporting and 2 years of writing into a narrative that covers the rise of Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network. Most Westerners who read it will come away convinced that our war with Islamic extremists will go on for many years to come (some of the extreme factions hold among their goals the eventual reconquest of Andalucia - land they stole from the Spaniards in 711 AD and then lost in 1492 AD), and if Bergen does nothing else but make people aware that we are in for a very long war, then it will have been worth the writing. The book's main strengths come from Bergen's "I was there" approach to the subject. He interviewed bin Laden, as well as other terrorist and Islamic (often one and the same) leaders. He is adept at creating vivid word pictures of the settings and the individuals, and we enjoy getting to "ride along" with him as he seeks out these fanatics in their "natural" environment. His tone alternates between serious and flippant (around the word in 80 jihads is one of his phrases), and though I appreciated some of his humor, at times it clashed with the seriousness of the subject. The biggest drawback of the book is its inability to truly set a historical perspective for the conflict we are now engaged in, and which bin Laden and his ilk clearly understand. The failure of most Islamic governments to govern well or democratically and that failure's effects on public life in the Middle East is not touched on. Nor does Bergen discuss the role of the Saudi government (ostensibly an ally of ours, but actually deeply involved in supporting terrorism) in global terrorism, or the failure of so-called moderate Arab regimes to oppose terrorism. It's a fairly one-dimensional view of the al Qaeda network and its founding "father", and the reader who wants greater detail on the region's conflicts and history will have to look further.
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