Rating: 
Summary: Incorrect Cause and Effect for Terrorism
Review: In Chapter 5, Weiss claims that "Reagan ordered multiple air strikes on the Libyan capital of Tripoli in retaliation for Pan Am 103 and the West Berlin disco bombing, which killed two U.S (period missing in original) servicemen. Several of Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi's family members were hurt in the attacks, and a chastened Qaddafi moved away from sponsoring terrorism."
Weiss is incorrect. While the US did bomb Libya shortly after the German disco was bombed in 1996, the U.S. did not bomb Libya again after the Pan Am flight. Libya probably bombed Pan Am 103 in retaliation for the bombings on Libya in 1996.
Considering that the topic of this book is terrorism, Weiss is either incompetent or deliberately misleading. Understanding cause and effect is critical when dealing with enemies.
Rating: 
Summary: Politicians chose to Ignore the Messenger
Review: John O'Neill was a complex human being. Yet, he was completely dedicated to his profession, an FBI Agent. He loved his work and took it to heart. Unfortunately, he was the first to draw the lines from all of the terrorist attacks abroad to bin Ladin. Unfortunately, no one listened. While he understood and accomplished the need for Washington's bureaucy to work together and even recommended it to a panel of "bureaucrats" headed by J.Bremmer....he was largely ignored. During the Clinton years where Clinton displayed open animosity not only toward our military but also toward the FBI for doing their job....O'Neill did his best to get the attention to international terrorism that it would eventually get after 9/11...it was of course, too late. When one considers the political posturing of the 9/11 Commission that made the actions of that commission politcal and dishonorable....this book will create a deep sadness within from the knowledge that the bureaucrats were more interested in themselves than in their mandated duties of protecting America. Clinton again demonstrates his self serving concerns regarding himself and his legacy, his inability to care about the lives of others, and his disregard for the truth while holding personal grudges that clouded his judgement. Why wasn't the USS COLE responded to, a question asked by the 9/11 commission? Because of the personal feelings of Barbara Bodine, then Ambassador to Yemen, who showed more concern for the Yemenis than her own citizens. Then to discover that she was sent to Iraq is simply insulting.
For those who covet France's approval, France wouldn't even allow our investigators to fly through their airspace on the way to investigate the Cole bombing. France has hated America for quite some time. It didn't begin with the Iraq war.
This man lectured in 1995 in Chicago that the greatest threat we would face in our near future would be international terrorism. He preached the importance of inter-agency cooperation and met a brick wall at the White House. If he hadn't been ignored and his investigation of the USS Cole hadn't been thwarted by our own self-serving bureaucrat, Ms. Bodine, we may have been able to track the plot to 9/11 prior to it's completion.
We, as a people, should be outraged that there is a greater interest in bureaucratic game playing that there is in keeping us safe as a nation. Bin Ladin is determined to destroy our way of life and we still don't get it. We are a complacent people with little will to fight the good fight. We are exceedingly comfortable in our homes driving our vehicles and waiting for ours. Our attention spans equal those of five year olds. We watch stupid "reality TV shows" that don't reflect reality at all. We've have cheapened ourselves as a nation and we'd better grow up quickly if we wish to survive.
This man gave his life for America. A true Patriot....someone who believes in his/her country so much they are willing to die for it. Patriotism is not subject to political correctness nor should it ever be.
If you read no other book about the Clinton WhiteHouse years...you need to read this one. Clinton was always more interested in his legacy than in his responsibility and he was weak and unwilling to even potentially harm his "popularity" with the American people. We don't need "Prom Kings" serving in the White House ever again.
Mindy Beers
Fayetteville, AR
Rating:
Summary: A Moving Tribute to a Dedicated Hero
Review: John O'Neill was one of America's best. He gave everything he had for his country and then some. This book gives a little insight into why he gave so much.
Rating:
Summary: Honest, Accurate, Outstanding
Review: More than another 911 book, this is an account of one man's career development and rise to be the nations expert on Bin Laden and his tragic death at the WTC. This true journalistic investigation presents the honest facts which, refute the self-serving account by Richard Clarke. Outstanding
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book on a Great Man!
Review: Murray Weiss captures in life and in death a real American hero and patriot. There's a lot to be learned from John O'Neill, and Mr. Weiss gives us the opportunity to do that.
Rating:
Summary: Classy, Intelligent very well written and informative.
Review: Murray Weiss happens to be one of the best writers around. His book is compelling. He tells the story of John O'Niell with the same gusto and panache that he uses in anything he writes. Bravo to a great guy and superb writer.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping story of an unusual man
Review: Murray Weiss has done a heroic job in assembling the details of the life of John P. O'Neill, the FBI agent who spent his life chasing bin Laden, only to be killed at his hands. The book looks at both his professional triumphs and gaffes and his tangled personal life, unearthing countless anecdotes and providing a rich picture of a complicated and interesting man. A fast, interesting read that puts the reader at the aftermath of the major terrorist acts of the last 20 years.
Rating:
Summary: The most enlightening book yet...
Review: Murray Weiss has written one of the most enlightening books about the FBI and it's agent John O'Neill. I had heard of John O'Neill after Sept. 11th. I knew there would have to be a book written about him, this is a fabulous, detailed, interesting, cannot put down book. If only more people would read it, we would not have to have these 9/11 committee hearings, their questions would be answered. Thank you Murray Weiss!
Rating:
Summary: Thank God for people who sacrifice for us
Review: Murray Weiss tells a fascinating story of a most complicated and confused life and terribly ironic death (the life and death of John O'Neill) through the extraordinary context of the ineptitude of the Clinton Whitehouse as it relates to national security.O'Neill's frustrations are palpable as he fights for what he knows is right and is ultimately figuratively and then literally killed when his beliefs are not taken as seriously as they should have been. Having lost my father to a terrorist bomb, having been in the WTC that morning of Sept 11, watching the planes hit from my office window only minutes later, and losing a cousin in the North tower that day, the power of Weiss's words as he describes the horror brought back some terrible memories. Memories that we as a nation must never forget.
Rating:
Summary: An Extraodinary Account of An Extraordinary Life
Review: Murray Weiss's page-turning chronicle of the exploits of John O'Neill--both on and off the field--is a must read for anyone wanting to understand how the attacks on Washington and the World Trade Center could have occurred. The book should be sent to every member of the 9/11 Commission.
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