The Secret History Of Al-Qa'ida

Over the last ten years, journalist and al-Qa'ida expert Abdel Bari Atwan has cultivated uniquely well-placed sources and amassed a wealth of information about al-Qa'ida's origins, masterminds and plans for the future. In this book, Atwan reveals how al-Qa'ida's radical departure from the classic terrorist / guerrilla blueprint has enabled it to outpace less adaptable efforts to neutralise it. The fanaticism of its fighters, and their willingness to kill and be killed, are matched by the leadership's opportunistic recruitment strategies and sophisticated understanding of psychology, media and new technology - including the use of the Internet for training, support and communications.

Atwan also argues that current events in the Middle East represent watershed moments in the group's evolution that are making it more dangerous by the day, as it refines and appropriates the concept of jihad and makes the suicide bomber a permanent feature of a global holy war.

“Wonderful ... required reading for anyone concerned with the future of the globe - SPECTATORWhat shines out is a profound desire to investigate and reveal the truth ... intelligent and informative - Jason Burke, GUARDIANScholarly, analytical, objective, it is also intensely readable, being by far the best book on the subject - Rt Hon Tony BennThis is a must-read book for anyone interested in understanding our increasingly scary world - Gavin Esler”

'Wonderful ... required reading for anyone concerned with the future of the globe' SPECTATOR 'What shines out is a profound desire to investigate and reveal the truth ... intelligent and informative' Jason Burke, GUARDIAN ** 'Scholarly, analytical, objective, it is also intensely readable, being by far the best book on the subject' Rt Hon Tony Benn

Abdel Bari Atwan is Editor-in-Chief of London-based Arabic newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi. Born in Palestine, he has lived in Britain for thirty years and is a familiar face on UK and US television. He first interviewed Osama bin Laden in 1996.

Over the last ten years, journalist and al-Qa'ida expert Abdel Bari Atwan has cultivated uniquely well-placed sources and amassed a wealth of information about al-Qa'ida's origins, masterminds and plans for the future. In this book, Atwan reveals how al-Qa'ida's radical departure from the classic terrorist / guerrilla blueprint has enabled it to outpace less adaptable efforts to neutralise it. The fanaticism of its fighters, and their willingness to kill and be killed, are matched by the leadership's opportunistic recruitment strategies and sophisticated understanding of psychology, media and new technology - including the use of the Internet for training, support and communications. Atwan also argues that current events in the Middle East represent watershed moments in the group's evolution that are making it more dangerous by the day, as it refines and appropriates the concept of jihad and makes the suicide bomber a permanent feature of a global holy war.

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