reads_romance_reviewer's review against another edition
4.0
I selected this book because I wanted an overview of the rise of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. It did not disappoint. So I do recommend this book for anyone who wants an overview.
The book is a collection of stories that cover the rise of al-Qaeda to what led to 9/11 and how our intelligence failed (and that is the nicest thing I can say) to how al-Qaeda splintered and thus the rise of ISIS. The book is fairly lengthy but the stories Wright tells have an impact and leave you feeling at times frustrated, sad, and at a loss as to how to change the hearts and minds of those most vulnerable to joining these terrorists organizations.
The book is a collection of stories that cover the rise of al-Qaeda to what led to 9/11 and how our intelligence failed (and that is the nicest thing I can say) to how al-Qaeda splintered and thus the rise of ISIS. The book is fairly lengthy but the stories Wright tells have an impact and leave you feeling at times frustrated, sad, and at a loss as to how to change the hearts and minds of those most vulnerable to joining these terrorists organizations.
eelsmac's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture
Does include some detailed descriptions of torture.whizalen's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realize this was a collection of essays when I started, I should read the jacket a little more carefully in the future. I like his writing a lot, but I was put off by the disjointed narrative and specific topics across the different essays.
maebinnig's review against another edition
4.0
Lawrence Wright's is the definitive journalistic voice on the "War on Terror." This essay collection finds him exploring modern terrorism everywhere from highly-censored Saudi Arabia to poverty-stricken Gaza, and examining the roots of the current culture of terror--always with a wise, probing humanity that refuses to simplify an inherently complex issue.
Some of the essays, of course, are stronger than others (Five Captives is far and away the most gripping), but none of them are weak. While the book lacks a certain cohesion, the quality of each piece was enough to make me read the one that followed. A must-read.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
Some of the essays, of course, are stronger than others (Five Captives is far and away the most gripping), but none of them are weak. While the book lacks a certain cohesion, the quality of each piece was enough to make me read the one that followed. A must-read.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
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