Rating: 
Summary: Very Scholastic, Not for Everyone
Review: I confess, I bought this book at a regular bookshop (not Amazon). Thus, I did not have at hand the dozen-plus reviews available on-line. Upon reading the title and the comments on the jacket, I was very interested in reading what I expected to be a biography of this man. I thought I would find information about his childhood, his upbringing, his personal life, pivotal events which shaped his activities of recent years. To my disappointment, none of this was present. In fact the book isn't really about Osama bin Laden at all; rather, it is a scholarly description of the radical Islamist movement worldwide, with only occassional mention of the man whose photo appears on the cover. I would certainly recommend it for students of political science, or sociologists who already have a thorough knowledge of Islam as well as governmental systems in Africa and the Middle-East, but the general reader should be prepared for a broad, intricate, academic discussion about international trends, and not a narrative about an individual.
Rating: 
Summary: A must read
Review: This book sums nicely what every Westerner should know about the world of Islamic terrorism and how it affects their nation, the politics of diplomacy, and even their own personal safety of themselves and their loved ones. As angry as I was reading about this monster, his murderous deeds, and his aims, I could not put the book down. It's a book you don't really want to read because the subject matter is very unsettling. But because the story of evil personified is always compelling, it's an irresistable page-turner.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Every American
Review: Mr. Bodansky's book should be required reading for every American who is concerned about their children & grandchildren's future. Americans no longer have to worry about the Soviet Union, but that does not, unfortunately, mean all the world's "bad guys" have gone away. Mr. Bodansky's book clearly shows the need for increased American commitment to anti-terrorism activity. (Thanks too to Mr. Kahl for a helpful review). God Bless Yossef Bodansky and God Bless the United States of America.
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Summary: Bodansky Declares War on Islamic Terror
Review: Bodansky Declares War on Islamic Terror Once again, Yossef Bodansky brings his insight and expertise to the problem of Osama Bin Laden, an ideological, Islamic zealot considered responsible for many American deaths. Rather than adopt the simplistic approach put forth by 'Foggy Bottom' -- that says in essence that Bin Laden is an independent terrorist and all that is required in order to halt all major terror strikes is to spend perhaps another billion or two to kill Bin Laden -- Bodansky spells out in detail the synergism between Bin Laden and major Arab countries, such as Syria and Iran. Bodansky places forth the metaphor of Bin Laden as one who represents radical Islam in ALL its depth, along with his co-conspirators. After Bodansky proves that Bin Laden is an instrument, rather than an independent, Islamic aberration, the entire spectrum of world terror comes into focus along with the realization that removing the tip of one tentacle of an octopus, is counterproductive at best and lethal at worst to its victims. Bodansky's encyclopedic grasp of world events, coupled with his talents as a word smith makes this book his most important and a must read for all. On a scale of one to five, I rate this a ten. Also recommended: Target America
Rating:
Summary: Osama-bin-Laden
Review: The Saudi millionaire militant Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) have struck a deal under which the so-called Mujaheddin will carry out ``spectacular terrorist strikes'' in the heart of India in return for the ISI's support, protection and sponsorship, according to a new book on the world's most-wanted terrorist. The deal, solidified in Spring 1998, enables the ISI to strike in India while denying any involvement, says Yossef Bodansky, author of the recently released book Bin Laden: The Man Who Declared War on America. The book also makes a stunning allegation: The ISI, in cahoots with the so-called Mujaheddin, sponsors, supports and trains terrorists throughout the world from centers in Afghanistan and Pakistan for operations in the Middle East, India (not just Kashmir), and increasingly, western Europe. In a compelling account of the ISI's nexus with Osama bin Laden and their flagrant involvement in subversive activity in India, Bodansky says the Pakistani spy agency is actively assisting bin Laden in the expansion of an Islamist infrastructure in India. It distributes cassettes and other propaganda material in which Bin Laden and others described India, along with the United States and Israel, as the greatest enemy of Islam. Primary venues for the distribution of Islamist propaganda and incitement material are the institutions run by the Ahl-i-Hadith religious charity, which is associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba Islamist Kashmiri organisation. Bodansky writes that under the command of Abdul Karim Tunda, the Lashkar-e-Toiba has already been responsible for several terrorist attacks in India. In addition, Bin Laden has major cells in the southern city of Bangalore and Hyderabad which support Harkar-ul Ansar, a Pakistan-sponsored Islamist organisation that actively participates in the jihad in Kashmir and trains mujaheddin for jihad fronts all over the world. What makes Bodansky's revelations all the more interesting is that he is the Director of the US Congressional Task Force on Terrorism headed by Congressman Bill McCollum. Although the disclosures in the book are widely known and privately acknowledged in the intelligence community of which Bodansky is a part, the US executive _ and the American media _ have preferred to tread softly on Pakistan on the terrorism issue. Bodansky's book paints ISI as a sinister and malignant terrorist outfit that is spreading mayhem not just in India but elsewhere in the world in the name of Islam. He says the US strikes against bin Laden and the terrorist camps in Afghanistan have only reinforced the relationship between the ISI and bin Laden. Bodansky says Pakistan promoted Islamism as the sole ideology capable of containing and reversing the breakup of Pakistan on ethno-national lines. ``Consequently, the ISI's support for and sponsorship of sisterly Islamic terrorist movements throughout the Arab world became a cornerstone of Pakistan's national security policy,'' he writes. The book has explicit details of ISI-run terrorist training camps right through the 1980s and how it was largely aimed at India while also feeding terrorism elsewhere in the world. At one point during the Afghan war, says Bodansky, the ISI kept even the CIA out of these camps. This was because the ISI wanted to hide the extent of training and support non-Afghan volunteers were getting at these camps. Most numerous were the thousands of Islamic trainees from Indian Kashmir and to a lesser extent Sikhs from the Punjab. In one particularly damning passage that shows how recklessly the ISI turned Pakistan into a ``place of pilgrimage for terrorists,'' Bodansky reveals that in the Fall of 1988, the spy and subversion agency instructed all Pakistani legations to issue ``special tourist'' visas to any Islamist aspiring to fight in the Afghan Jihad. These ``visas'' were provided, frequently along with paid airline tickets, to volunteers who lacked proper travel documents as well as those who gave false names and were wanted by their governments for terrorism and subversion. C. Rajghutta
Rating:
Summary: GREAT book
Review: First of all, let us talk about the book itself... This book is truly an excellent book with a great deal of information not only on Bin Laden, but on the rise of Islamist to power, and related middle eastern politics. It containe many exciting & valuable information that I knew after reading this book (i.e. the attempt to assasinate President Mubarak, the bombing of US embassyies, US in Somalia,...) There are alot of stories that are fun to read and valuable to those who want to study about this topic. As for Bin Laden... People should know that he left his wealth, homeland, poisition, and even family in the cause of ISLAM and Jihad. He left to his death (risking his life to death any second) for the cause he believed in, and his goals unlike most young men, were great. Also you should realize that he left for fighting when he was in his early ages, and spended his money not on businesses to increase his wealth, but to help the poor, orphans, widows, and his people. The Saudi government used him in many of its politics and Bin Laden's family are a great influence on the Royal family and the whole country. He could have stayed and lived like a king: powerful, respected, and lived for ever safely. When he fought, he fought bravely and fought in the front lines. Personally without considering his views, I truly respect him. He is a great man who seeks not media attention, nor power, but to help his people and practice his religion freely. As for those who say he is fighting an enemy who he can't beat! I would say that Bin Laden now does not represent a certain group of armed men, but he is a symbol for Muslims all over the world. His followers are increasing all over the world especially in the Arab world (knowing that he already have a great support by ALL pakistani people let alone the Pakistani Inter Service Intelligence... nuclear power) If you want to do a research about the topic... If you want something fun and interesting to read... If you want to know information (related to the topic) that researchers and high rank government officials only know... READ THIS BOOK.
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Summary: A frightfully accurate indictment of fundamentalist Islam
Review: Bodansky, a twenty-five year specialist in world terrorism creates the definitive text detailing the dangers which fundamentalist Islam poses to the nations of the world. While the title suggests that this work is a biographical sketch of the international rogue, Osama bin Ladin, it is in fact an exquisitively layered lattice detailing the many intricacies of the world-wide Islamic fundamentalist terror network. Many of the details, for example the Afghani war was not fought solely by "freedom fighters", rather 20,000 Islamic mercenaries participated to refine their terror training, are simply unknown to the lay public. Bodansky deftly cuts through the lies the State Department and the Clinton administration weave about Pakistan, the KLA, and others. After reading this book one realizes that after the demise of the "Cold War", a new more perilous "chill" has developed; That of the international threat of Islamic fundamentalism. So grab your body armour and your AK-47 and hang on. This is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: "A must reading for every citizen."
Review: An incisive meticulous research and dramatic account of the radical Islamists movement threatening America and Democracy everywhere. Bodansky produced a chilling expose of bin Laden Inc. and the mix of political "willful blindness," naïveté and greed that played a major role in making this a viable threat.
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Summary: Totally Disagree....
Review: As a muslim and as a Saudi, I believe that this book has many mistakes about Bin Laden. First of all, I don't agree with the title "...Who Declared War on America" because we all , muslims, know that America had declared war against us before him. Take a lot at what's going on in Iraq, Palastine, Sudan ..etc. and you would believe that this is the truth. Bin Laden is a MAN who is fighting for all muslims rights in the world......thanks.
Rating: 
Summary: Have to Agree - Facts, Fiction and Some Manipulation - Shame
Review: As a counter-terrorism professional I am surprised that Bodansky, a respected former CT specialist would stray into wild speculation and horrific rumor. His basic facts on Bin Laden are very solid, however you'd have to have a proper clearance to know what is fact and what is not. I had to sort through all sorts of silliness to get some hard facts. Many times I would throw the book across the room after a whole chapter and then find a pearl of wisdom a page later. Additionally his attempt to claim the Clinton administration attempted to cut deals with the Islamists and would condone the fall of Mubarak is just plain ridiculousness. Shame for even writing it down. I don't know about him but I have never seen an administration so hell bent on combatting terrorism through sheer effort as this one (William Casey aside). Bodansky has hidden behind his anonymous sources which are very obviously Egyptian government. He makes Hassan Turabi appear to be the next Ayatollah Khomeini. I think this book was a poor attempt to challenge Claire Sterling's "The Terrorist Network" but with an Islamic twist ... if I hear "spectacular attack" again (used over 50 times, I'm sure) I'll choke.
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