The Looming Tower

Lawrence Wright

Aug 2006 · Sold by Vintage

About this ebook

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.

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.

Ratings and reviews

A readable and interesting history of al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden and the U.S. bureaucratic infighting that helped the 9/11 plot succeed.

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.

This gave me so much insight into the beginnings of the 911 conspiracy. Especially the parts about Bin Ladens journey towards becoming a radical terrorist. This book cuts through all the ridiculous media coverage of the last six years.

About the author

Lawrence Wright graduated from Tulane University and spent two years teaching at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. He is a staff writer for The New Yorker and a fellow at the Center on Law and Security at New York University School of Law. The author of five works of nonfiction—City Children, Country Summer; In the New World; Saints and Sinners; Remembering Satan; and Twins—he has also written a novel, God’s Favorite, and was cowriter of the movie The Siege. He and his wife are longtime residents of Austin, Texas.