A Google user
From the beginning, you realize truly how historical events coalesce simply because Mr. Wright tells the story of Bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, Al-Jihad, the Taliban, and Zawahiri combined to threaten their own people, as well as the reign of terror unleashed on the West. Interestingly, Bin Laden, the man whose country has disowned him (Saudi Arabia), is attacking America due to the presence of American troops in The Kingdom during Desert Storm. Yet, a few years earlier, he accepted weapons and training from the very same source of his hatred.
Larry Wright is able to weave the tale of how truly confusing the various elements were, and through sheer luck, how they came together to strike several organized blows against Global Powers. For instance, Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Jihad, had the ideology but no money. Bin Laden had money, but isn't very intelligent, and had no ideology for Al Qaeda. The two mutually traded...
It was Zawahiri who corrupted the Koran, allowing suicide and shedding innocent blood. Bin Laden just picked up on it. It was Zawahiri who established the firm Muslim ideologies from the time of Qtub.
The book is a fantastic read and shows the mistakes, the massive blunders, the coincidental meetings, non-cooperation, and the accidental meetings of key people that changed history.
A Google user
This is "THE BOOK" on AQ and the lead up to 9/11. I encourage all of my students to read it and have read it several times. The research cited at the end leads down an endless path. If you are involved in the business of counter terrorism, HUMINT, or Counterintelligence and you haven't read this book....you are YEARS behind. Catch up!