Description
Book SynopsisDetails how bin Laden became an international emblem of fundamentalist, pan-Islamic, anti-US fervour and the leader of a brotherhood. This title explains the global character of bin Laden's organisation, elaborating the extent of his sphere of influence in Europe and Asia.
Trade Review“This latest entry into the Osama bin Laden publishing sweepstakes stands out for its exhaustive research and prescience . . . . While the story has been told elsewhere, Jacquard brings new details. He’s particularly provocative on bin Laden’s travels during the early 1990s, arguing that he returned to Afghanistan only after quarreling with the Sudanese government. He also effectively details the tentacles of al-Qaeda throughout the world, putting together the most comprehensive description of a broad network in Europe and throughout Asia. Documents translated from Arabic and French give additional evidence and background. . . . [A] balanced, sweeping description of the bin Laden threat.” - Publishers Weekly
“Jacquard gives us both a compelling biography of the terrorist leader and a glimpse into the way his network is run. The book, which was originally published in France the same week as the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pennsylvania attacks, was revised and expanded to take the attacks into account before it was published in the United States. What it provides is a picture of a dangerous, arrogant man with the money and the mind to accomplish horrifying feats.” - Anne Wagner,
National Journal“As one of several recent works on Osama bin Laden, Jacquard’s provides the deeper examination of the worldwide structure of Islamic fundamentalism and its associated terrorism. . . . An appendix consisting of 40 documents brings a chilling reality to the narrative. For all libraries.” - Library Journal
“A detailed account of groups connected to bin Laden . . . . This excellent journalistic overview for specialists, students, and general readers includes an appendix of 40 documents in English and Arabic.” - R. H. Dekmejian,
Choice"The general public, government officials, police departments, other security agencies, diplomats, scholars, and others could learn a lot from this page-turner. Jacquard brings the reader into the murky and menacing three-dimensional-chess world of international terrorists and their hunters. . . . [A]n excellent attempt at explaining a very dangerous, complex, and influential group of people." - Paul Sullivan,
Al Jadid*“Bin Laden’s genesis and genius are all chronicled in Jacquard’s sweeping account of the Saudi born terrorist and his brotherhood. The book rightfully brings into focus the role of modern media, especially satellite TV and the Internet, in bin Laden’s cunning wager that he could defeat the U.S. as a world power. A chilling read,
a must read for all who continue to grapple with the twin legacy of hatred and hope from September 11
.”—Bruce B. Lawrence, author of
Shattering the Myth: Islam Beyond Violence
“A detailed account of groups connected to bin Laden . . . . This excellent journalistic overview for specialists, students, and general readers includes an appendix of 40 documents in English and Arabic.” -- R. H. Dekmejian * Choice *
“As one of several recent works on Osama bin Laden, Jacquard’s provides the deeper examination of the worldwide structure of Islamic fundamentalism and its associated terrorism. . . . An appendix consisting of 40 documents brings a chilling reality to the narrative. For all libraries.” * Library Journal *
“Jacquard gives us both a compelling biography of the terrorist leader and a glimpse into the way his network is run. The book, which was originally published in France the same week as the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pennsylvania attacks, was revised and expanded to take the attacks into account before it was published in the United States. What it provides is a picture of a dangerous, arrogant man with the money and the mind to accomplish horrifying feats.” -- Anne Wagner * National Journal *
“This latest entry into the Osama bin Laden publishing sweepstakes stands out for its exhaustive research and prescience . . . . While the story has been told elsewhere, Jacquard brings new details. He’s particularly provocative on bin Laden’s travels during the early 1990s, arguing that he returned to Afghanistan only after quarreling with the Sudanese government. He also effectively details the tentacles of al-Qaeda throughout the world, putting together the most comprehensive description of a broad network in Europe and throughout Asia. Documents translated from Arabic and French give additional evidence and background. . . . [A] balanced, sweeping description of the bin Laden threat.” * Publishers Weekly *
"The general public, government officials, police departments, other security agencies, diplomats, scholars, and others could learn a lot from this page-turner. Jacquard brings the reader into the murky and menacing three-dimensional-chess world of international terrorists and their hunters. . . . [A]n excellent attempt at explaining a very dangerous, complex, and influential group of people." -- Paul Sullivan * Al Jadid *
Table of ContentsPreface ix
Introduction / Samia Serageldin 1
1 A Young Man from a Good Family 11
2 From Riyadh to Peshawar 20
3 Exile in the Sudan 27
4 Among the Taliban 37
5 The Islamic Legion 54
6 The Anti-American Crusade 73
7 Target: Bin Laden 86
8 Osama bin Laden Confronts the Arab World 93
9 The Bin Laden Brotherhood 99
10 Asian Fever 118
11 The Bin Laden Network's Billions 126
12 Drugs and Terrorism 135
13 Jihad's New Weapons 142
Epilogue 158
Afterward / Samia Serageldin 160
Appendix 167
Glossary 274
Notes 276
Index 289
