The Looming Tower (Pulitzer Prize Winner)
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4.5 • 330 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • A “heart-stopping account of the events leading up to 9/11” (The New York Times Book Review), this definitive history explains in gripping detail the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, the rise of al-Qaeda, and the intelligence failures that culminated in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century • A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century • A Los Angeles Times Best Nonfiction Book of the Last 30 Years
WITH AN AUTHOR'S NOTE ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
In gripping narrative that spans five decades, Lawrence Wright re-creates firsthand the transformation of Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri from incompetent and idealistic soldiers in Afghanistan to leaders of the most successful terrorist group in history. He follows FBI counterterrorism chief John O’Neill as he uncovers the emerging danger from al-Qaeda in the 1990s and struggles to track this new threat.
Packed with new information and a deep historical perspective, The Looming Tower is a sweeping, unprecedented history of the long road to September 11.
Customer Reviews
al-Qaeda: incite the uninsightful. More proof to the power of proper education
A LOT of research clearly went into this book. Although it's full of mountains of information (at times you question how in the world he even got such privy information), it's (mostly) an incredibly page turning book.
It can obviously be upsetting to read, especially when you realize just how baseless al-Qaeda's reasoning is for their anti-western/U.S. beliefs. It's also upsetting, though, to see just how bureaucratic, pompous, and prideful our government agencies (nameley the CIA, according to this book) were leading up to 9/11 and prior attacks. A real eye-opener.
For the most part, the author seems to remain unbiased throughout the book, which I can only imagine is a very difficult task. Definitely recommend.
Outstanding Reportage on The Story We All Thought We Knew
Imperative read to understand the Islamic mindset, why 9/11 happened, who Osama bin Laden was and how he came to power. But more than just in the Middle East, it reveals how extreme religious fanaticism, stoked by a megalomaniac leader for his own ego, can endanger the United States of America from within again.
Looming Towers
I starred to watch Hulu “The Looming Towers” then got book. Both are great but enjoyed book better!