Author: Lawrence Wright
Started: August 2, 2022
Finished: August 10, 2022
September 11, 2001, is a day that the world will never forget. Over 3000 innocent people were murdered by a group of extremists who felt that America was the enemy of Islam and that they must do whatever they could to cripple our country. As they discovered that day, while devastating, their plan only showed America's resolve.
This book takes us through the birth not only of Al-Qaeda but also of the extremist thinking on which they based their ideology. From its humble beginnings as government dissenters to a full-fledged organization capable of attacks not only on the World Trade Center but also on the USS Cole, Al Qaeda proved itself capable of causing the worst damage possible. Also covered are the failures of the American intelligence communities. It is very clear that if the CIA & the FBI had been able to share information, there is a strong chance that the September 11th attacks could have been stopped.
This was a well-done and well-researched book that helped give me a better understanding of how Al-Qaeda formed and how they came to think of America as its arch enemy. It was very interesting to learn the history of Islam and how Al Qaeda's thinking and how the two vastly differed. I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite some time and I was glad that I finally got the chance.