Rating: 
Summary: The Details Are Still Hidden
Review: I finished this book with two overriding feelings, disappointment and confusion. I was disappointed in the book and its reporting and I was confused over the tempest in a tea pot up roar over the supposed anti Muslim "racism" supposedly detailed in the book. According to the dust jacket, this book sets out to describe the militant Islamic terrorist networks that seem to be littered across America and just how difficult it will be get rid of them. The author starts the book by telling us that he has spent the last ten years studying this topic and has had a staff of any where from 2 to 20 working with him. He also takes every opportunity possible to work in that he has also made a documentary covering the topic of the book. So I am thinking that with all this time, staff and material for a movie the book should be a jam packed treasure chest of what is going on in the States in regard to Islamic terrorist organizations. Well, either the author is not much of a reporter or we can all rest a little easier, because the book is just a bit light on the details and does not describe much of a threat.
Sure the author details out a few men here and there that had something to do with Islamic terrorism, but the only group he covers that really appeared to be somewhat dangerous and motivated were the group responsible for the first World Trade Center bombing. That being the case, there are many other books out there that cover this topic much better and in far more detail. Most of the rest of the bad guys detailed in the book are all practicing their nefarious trade craft in the Middle East. Not terribly dangerous to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Six Pack in the mid west. The area I felt the author hit the mark on the best was with his coverage of the many different Islamic charities that operate in the U.S. and the damage that can be caused by this fountain of money flowing back to the Middle East. Yet here again the danger is off shore, similar to the funding the IRA got in the 70's and 80's.
Lastly, I was confused as to where all the supposed anti Muslim reporting was in the book. Both in reading some reviews and in a few other books, it has been reported that this book paints an unfair if not down right racist view of Islam in American. I found just the opposite. This author was forever inserting in to each chapter that Islam is a religion of peace and that just of few radicals have taken it to an extreme. He then offers up one chapter on his Islamic hero's. Even without this pandering, I thought the book was fair. The most damaging words come not from the author, but by interviews many of the people detailed in the book make. You just can not spin it away when someone says that all Jews need to be eliminated.
Overall I was disappointed with the book. It reminded me a of college student tiring to get the required length of a report by increasing the font, shrinking the margins and adding in long winded and off topic quotes to beef up page count. The book offered too little detail on the main theme of Islamic terrorists in the States and not enough to be a good broad overview of the problem.
Rating: 
Summary: Every American should read this!
Review: I'd like to think that a book like this would help Americans wake up, but I'm not that naive.
Emerson seems to have spent much time investigating the radical Islamic movement in America, and their links to terrorism. I applaud his research. Facts like these need to get out.One comment he made troubled me, however: he stated that he was wrong when he initially connected the Oklahoma City bombing with Middle-Eastern terrorists. Maybe he was unaware of the Iraqi connections at the time of publication--I hope he has learned of this since. (It's clear now how the OKC bombing fit exactly into the scheme that he himself has unraveled, and included several of the same players involved in other terrorist plots.) Most of Emerson's book tracks the flow of money and associations of the terrorists and terrorist sympathizers. He doesn't discuss a lot of the philosophical issues--I guess that could be another book in itself. Emerson reveals how the international terrorist organizations have used America and her freedoms to fuel their hate crimes against America herself, and many others overseas. He shows how the radical Islamic movement has hijacked the more moderate, peaceful Muslim groups, and has almost completely drowned out their voices. Unfortunately, this book doesn't have a happy ending. I hope real life turns out differently. But given the pluralistic, politically-correct quagmire our society has become encumbered in, I'm afraid that may not be the case.
Rating: 
Summary: Terror Is Not Invincible
Review: In his function as a staff reporter for CNN, Steven Emerson stumbled upon frightening voices emanating from the midst of the Religion of Peace: conferences celebrating terror and promoting books on "How to Kill the Infidel", sale of videos showing the torture by Palestinians of suspected 'collaborators' and terrorists boasting of their kills. And all this is taking place here, in the United States. The fruits of his investigation gradually grew into a clearinghouse of terror data, and culminated in an acclaimed PBS documentary titled "Jihad in America" that won the George Polk award.
This book is a continuation of the theme. Naturally, such blatant practice of freedom of expression could not be allowed to go unpunished, and it was not long before violence and death threats forced the author into hiding.
Some of the most grotesque institutions of terror have established themselves and operate out of America, publically proclaiming peace but perpetrating hate, destruction, and jihad in private. The groups that operate under such saccharine banners as 'literacy groups' or 'youth associations' engage in organized crime, money laundering, sham marriages, and immigration fraud. Many pro-Islamic institutions in the U.S. are actually funded directly by Saudi Arabia.
The book recalls the exasperation of federal agencies who were not permitted to investigate these groups, their hands so tied that they couldn't attend terror conferences or even examine publically available data. Individual agents were actually prosecuted for attempting to investigate them. It is a testament to the professionalism and tenacity of the FBI that it nonetheless was able to prevent many attacks, among which the Day of Terror in New York City, the attempted bombing of American airliners, and the assassination of the Pope. Some of the schemes and people mentioned in this book were highlighted in the highly recommended Frontline documentary about John O'Neill.
The terror networks are not invincible, and current events show that the tide is turning. Our investigation and prosecution of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing is awe-inspiring, but law enforcement must be permitted to be proactive. Emerson describes a Hamas leader who is also a tenured professor at the University of South Florida. Al-Arian was in fact finally arrested a few weeks ago, a full year after the publication of this book.
The web of Islamic terror spreading through mosques is far-reaching, and Emerson acknowledges that he can touch only on a small part of it in this book. What becomes clear is that the organizations of terror are interconnected, and that it is pointless to distinguish between groups who only want to kill Americans, or just Jews, or only Hindus. Islamists suffer from what Emerson calls 'an extreme form of mission creep': everyone is a target.
We relaxed our stance in the 90s in the hope that only Israel was the target of terror. We know now that Islamism has the entire free world in its sights. But if we have the will we can defeat those who would destroy civilization.
Rating:
Summary: A report on radical Islamic terrorism in the USA
Review: Is it out of line for terrorist groups to preach in favor of violence against Americans, Jews, and Christians? It seems to me that if they are actually committing terrorist acts, they are criminals and it seems to me that those who donate money to help them in their criminal endeavors are accessories.
In 1992, journalist Steven Emerson happened to attend a meeting of the Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA) in Oklahoma City. He was surprised to find a large amount of anti-American, anti-Jewish, and anti-Christian propaganda there, as well as speakers from Hamas and other terrorist groups. But he was even more surprised to discover that the FBI had no mandate to investigate this. But as the FBI expalined, it was merely hateful rhetoric, wasn't it?
Emerson decided to find out just how much more was going on than mere hateful rhetoric. And he found some material which was broadcast in a 1994 television program, "Jihad in America." The program did win some awards, but Emerson was now surprised to discover the intensity of some of the more outlandish denials of parts of his program by various Muslim groups.
Since then, many of the rest of us are the ones who have been surprised by the seriousness of the problem. No, there is no plan of a coup that will take over the government. But we've seen terror within our borders, with the most notable being the attacks on the World Trade Center.
This book traces the infiltration of the United States by Hamas and other terrorist groups. It tells about the University of South Florida and the now notorious Sami al-Arian, who was allowed to remain at the university for years in spite of his terrorist activities. While there may be a question about who knew exactly what al-Arian was up to and how much they knew, the important fact is that America was a very easy place to infiltrate. Too easy. America served as an ideal location for terrorist group command and coordination activities.
That leads Emerson to a discussion of al-Qaeda, as well as his ideas about how we can fight back against the terrorists.
One of the most interesting parts of the book is the appendix that lists nine radicalized groups that "provide significant support for terrorist organizations," namely MAYA, AIG, ICW, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), AMC (American Muslim Council), ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America), MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council), AMA, and ISNA, and briefly summarizes their activities.
I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Necessary, insightful, and well documented!!
Review: It saddens me that some of the 1 star reviews posted here seem to be from people who likely haven't read this book. I write this because Steven Emerson is in no way attacking the Muslim community. In fact, he champions them in one chapter and shows how true followers of Islam (those who celebrate peace, love, and tolerance of other religions) are being hurt by the extremists hiding behind the guise of Islam. This is an investigative report that every American should read. The extremists have infiltrated our cities and are operating under the appearance of goodwill and charity. This is not a book against Muslims--- it's a book that shows (very specifically!!) who the terrorists are. These extreme fundamentalists are dangerous to Muslim Americans and non-extremist Muslim leaders as well. Their hatred doesn't discriminate-- they love to attack even the moderate Muslims. Steven Emerson should be applauded for his bravery and committment to a cause that could save American lives.
Rating:
Summary: Prescient; a must read from the man who saw 9/11 coming
Review: One reviewer on 6/11/03 gave this book 1 star. Suffice to say the web site he references for his ad hominem sideswipe is called Creative Loafing. It's a leftist site which is completely against the war on terror. This book is a must read. Emerson is an expert who does not suffer fools gladly.
Rating:
Summary: Makes you look over your shoulder
Review: One very evident item about this book is that it is convincing from its real supportive evidense and authors research. The book is short but is not filled with clutter, is rather condensed but the subject matter is well explained. Steve obviously went out of his way to research this out, almost in the way of a war correspondent. The book is convincing in that he demonstrates there are internal terrorists and that they are secretly supported and did anticipate tighter USA security. I feel he has even given away vital information that the terrorists dred the public knowing. Good for us, makes this book the book it is. I believe that's why the book was published in my opinion. The book lets us know not to be complacent in this intermediate time of peace, be looking, be ready. After reading it I am convinced another major attack is at least in the planning stages.
I strongly recommend reading another book that is worth it, covers the religious terrorist and why they attack, what we can do, predicted these attacks and mentions we would be forced into a much stricter way of life. SB 1 or God By Karl Mark Maddox.
Rating:
Summary: Swiss cheese
Review: Radical Islamic forces have many times threatened Steven Emerson's life. From their point of view, he knows too much. His Investigative Project has logged more than 6,000 hours of video and audio tapes, and its library is probably the world's most comprehensive on radical Islam. Emerson has thus for years lived in hiding, emerging only for talks and meetings to impart what he knows. In this book, he reveals an American intelligence system so full of holes that it resembles finely aged Swiss cheese. Readers get a solid, albeit unpleasant, taste. Emerson reveals the vision of a globe dominated by Islam prevalent among radical Islamic forces everywhere for the last two decades. Emerson's chatty account backs up this seeming scare mongering with enough facts about radical Islam's worldwide network to curdle one's blood. These forces have for 12 years achieved a new level of coordination, owing to their exploitation of civil liberties in the U.S. "None of these groups was ever able to coordinate its worldwide efforts with the others until they came to the United States," Emerson writes. They use freedoms of speech and assembly with little oversight from the FBI, CIA, Immigration and Naturalization Service or any number of other U.S. agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, and so on. Let us hope that free world leaders are listening. Emerson opens his first-person account with details on how he was drawn to pursue and document radical Islam. In 1992, as a reporter for CNN, he was covering an Oklahoma City press conference at which of former Iran-contra special prosecutor Lawrence Welsh released a statement from President Bush (le pere), pardoning former Secretary of State Casper Weinberger. He was bored. On December 25, Emerson passed some men in Arab robes clustered outside the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The Muslim Arab Youth Association meeting inside featured a "bazaar of vendors hawking all kinds of radical material," books preaching Islamic jihad, calling for the extermination of Christians and Jews, even coloring books instructing children 'How to Kill the Infidel'--and speakers from Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood (founded in Egypt in 1920s), Palestinian Islamic Jihad, among others. A Detroit FBI agent fielded questions from "a visibly hostile audience" cheekily asking for "advice on how to ship weapons overseas." Emerson's call to FBI headquarters produced the astounding revelation that the FBI could and would do little to monitor these groups. Although a print journalist, Emerson after the February 26 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center pitched to the U.S. Public Broadcasting System a story on the recruitment and training of radical Islamic warriors inside America. The resulting hour-long program, Jihad in America, aired on November 21, 1994 and is available free on the Internet. In a Brooklyn, N.Y. Yemeni grocery store, Emerson found and bought 20 copies of videos promoting paramilitary training. His reporting took him to Florida, Texas, Chicago, the Middle East and Pakistan. The first calls for global jihad came from a Palestinian Arab mullah, Abdullah Azzam, whose base in Peshawar, Pakistan recruited and trained Muslim warriors for a jihad against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Azzam was killed in 1989 with his two oldest sons, a murder that went unsolved. But his followers, including a third son in Pakistan and a nephew in Chicago, spread his seditious message everywhere. On a 1993 trip to the West Bank, Emerson and translator Khalid Duran learned from a taxi driver that Azzam's brother-in-law lived in Jenin and from there, obtained more interviews. El-Sayeed Nosair, who murdered Rabbi Meir Kahane in New York, led to 47 boxes of Arabic material, which police unfortunately ignored until after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Nosair had planned to "thoroughly demoralize the enemies of God" by blowing up and destroying the World Trade Center. The February 1993 WTC bombing killed six and injured more than 1,000 others. Investigators eventually discovered the error in believing the WTC plotters inept. In fact, they were tied to a global network of al-Qaeda terrorists, including Mohammed Salameh, Palestinian Ramzi Yousef, Ahmad Ajaj, Nidal Ayyad, Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric who ran a New Jersey mosque, and Osama bin Laden. One lieutenant, Ali Mohammed, was an officer in the U.S. Army's Special Forces. Their interconnected plots included theft of U.S. government documents, construction and operation of training camps within the U.S. and a 1994 plan to murder Pope John Paul II and blow up 11 American jetliners. The last was foiled only by accident, after Yousef fled the scene of a Manila "work accident" in December 1994, leaving behind a computer full of encrypted plans. Emerson details his search through the U.S., to jihad academies in Florida and elsewhere. He includes excellent chapters on Hamas; Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam and al-Qaeda; and an appendix exposing the American support these groups get through the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Islamic Circle of North America, American Muslim Council and, last but not least, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Press pundits often and erroneously quote sources from these groups as "moderate." They are no such thing. More importantly, Emerson maps out plans by which Western governments and agencies can fight back. Emerson was closely aided by Khalid Duran, whom Muslim terrorists have also threatened with death. A Spanish Muslim descended from Barbary pirates, Duran is a hero and scholar conversant in English, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic and German, and the author of Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Islam for Jews. His book was endorsed by Jordan's Prince Hassan and throughout the Muslim world. Duran rightly considers Islamic fundamentalism today a descendant of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood of the 1930s, an imitation of European fascism that failed at the end of World War II but survived and spread throughout the Islamic world. It has proved especially appealing to well-educated, moneyed engineers. Duran taught Emerson that radical Islam is not the real thing. But he also helped to prove that violent Islamic fundamentalism will be a fixture on the U.S. and global political landscapes for years. This superb book can help us cope. Alyssa A. Lappen
Rating: 
Summary: FactChecker
Review: Read John Sugg's June 12, 2003 column in Creative Loafing if you want an example of Steven Emerson's credibility (Hint: It ain't good).
Rating:
Summary: A MUST for every home library
Review: September 11 was a defining event in American history. For those citizens who want to learn how the terror network operates in the United States, this book is a must and should be on the shelves of every freedom-loving American. I found it to be well documented and researched while painting a picture of the threat to our very existence.
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