The Secret History of al Qaeda: Updated Edition
by Abdel Bari Atwan
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Book Summary Information
Author: Abdel Bari AtwanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-04
ISBN: 0520255615
Number of pages: 328
Publisher: University of California Press
Book Reviews of The Secret History of al Qaeda: Updated Edition
Book Review: Typical bias Arab perspective
Summary: 1 Stars
We must first look at ourselves before casting blame on others. Atwan's apologist al-Qaeda viewpoint is typical of the Arab "moderates; "I don't agree with the violence by al-Qaeda, but I understand it". Atwan's obvious disdain for the West (for which he profits immensely from its freedoms), is apparent in this book. He tries to explain away the violence committed by AQ and others against alleged oppressors (but fails to mention the thousands of Muslims killed by AQ), by blaming U.S. foreign policy. Even going as far as employing the age old Arab conspiracy theory of CIA-Mossad missions to undermined the Arabic culture.
Not one criticism of Middle East regimes unless it is in the context of U.S. foreign policy. Ruthless Arab dictatorships are simply propped up by the U.S., there is no mention of Britain or France's involvement in the Levant and what has led to the tensions we see today.
While the U.S. is boiling with arguments over its military engagement in Iraq, very little substance is being discussed in the Middle East about radical Islam. Atwan suffers from the same conspiracy laden victim theory spouted that we (the Arab world), cannot be so screwed up. Someone else must be to blame!!
Don't waste your time with this book, look at Peter Bergen's or Rohan Gunaratna's writings instead. They give a better description of AQ as an organization without such bias underpinnings.
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