Through Our Enemies' Eyes

by Michael Scheuer

This seminal work on modern terrorism is the one book to read in order to truly understand the reasons why radical Muslims such as Osama bin Laden and his followers have declared war on America and the West. In order to win the war against terrorism, argues Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden Unit, we must first stop dismissing militant Muslims as "extremists" or "religious fanatics." Formulating a successful military strategy requires that we see the enemy as they perceive themselvehighly trained and motivated soldiers who believe their cause is righteous.

This revised paperback edition provides a more extensive study of Osama bin Laden and the sources of his thought. Scheuer has added a good deal of bin Laden’s words, focusing on those issues that have been most misunderstood or ignored and therefore are most in need of exposition. These include bin Laden’s personality; his early years as a nonviolent Saudi dissident and reformer; the causes motivating al Qaeda and its allies, especially their perception that U.S. foreign policy threatens Islam’s survival; bin Laden’s long history of interest in and support for the Palestinian cause against Israel; his evolutionary growth as an Islamic hero and leader between 1996 and 2001; and the profound impact the Afghan-Soviet War had and continues to have on bin Laden, al Qaeda, and worldwide Sunni Islamic militancy. Only by understanding these words can the West appreciate the threat it faces and formulate a strategy to defeat it.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Terrorism, Politics, Middle East, Islam, Military Fiction

442 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 30, 2002

About the author

Michael F. Scheuer is a former CIA employee. In his 22-year career, he served as the Chief of the Bin Laden Issue Station (aka "Alec Station"), from 1996 to 1999, the Osama bin Laden tracking unit at the Counterterrorist Center. He then worked again as Special Advisor to the Chief of the bin Laden unit from September 2001 to November 2004.

Scheuer resigned in 2004. He is currently a news analyst for CBS News and a terrorism analyst for The Jamestown Foundation's online publication Global Terrorism Analysis. He also makes radio and television appearances and teaches a graduate-level course on Al-Qaeda at Georgetown University. He also participates in conferences on terrorism and national security issues, such as the New America Foundation's December 2004 conference, "Al Qaeda 2.0: Transnational Terrorism After 9/11."

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Patrick]

Most detailed account of its time on al-Qa'ida, written by a former chief of the CIA's Bin Laden Station. Scattershot writing, but well documented. Must read, along with Lawrence Wright's The Looming Tower and the author's other books, to gain a detailed understanding of al-Qa'ida.

[J.]

Despite Scheuer's... how shall we say unique viewpoint these days, at one point in time he was a brilliant analyst working on counter-terrorism issues... this book proves it considering he wrote it all using nothing but open source materials.

[Nate]

Scheuer addresses the difficult questions regarding bin Laden and why he is actually focused on attacking America. He addresses the issues of America's foreign policy being the primary reason behind Al-Qaeda's attacks and provides a context for understanding why bin Laden does what he does in a way that is clear and unmistakable. This is a necessary reading for anybody attempting to understand extremism, Al-Qaeda, militant Islam, and terrorism. It provides an insight into bin Laden and his history, background, beliefs, and ideology. If you want to know more, read it and see the issues from a different perspective.

[James]

An informative and well-organized history of Bin Laden and the development of the war he is fighting against the West. Marred a bit by rough editing and the author's at times angry and somewhat bitter tone, but as a historian who has watched America's government and media consistently blow it, through an apparent preference for wishful thinking, cultural narcissism, and at times simple analytical laziness.

Anyone who wants to understand Al Qaeda and the roots of its implacable enmity toward America, "Christendom", and the "Crusaders" would do well to read this book.

[Nate Cooley]

I read abouot half this book and had a hard time finishing it. I did read "Imperial Hubris" though which is written by the same author.

When "Imperial Hubris" was published it was greatly criticized because of its tone regarding the War on Terror. It was viewed as somewhat unpatriotic by the Right. Being a Conservative myself, the book contained some hard truths that those in the current administration ought to adopt (i.e., energy independence).

[Kevin]

A must read for anyone running forpublic office and screaming about how they are "strong on terrorism". The book puts the angers of our enemy into a nice concise book and then leads us through history to show us how they got there. A great book for understanding, a bad book if you want to think our leaders understand who we are facing.

Scheuer tells who we are facing and why they are mad. Our government is not doing either.

[Ehren]

An excellent book that looks at Usama Bin Laden prior to, and following the 9/11 attacks. The book was actually written (the first edition) prior to 9/11 and there are many discussions - extensively cited - regarding the mission, ideals, and development of Al Qaeda to the organization that it has become. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive intelligent discussion of the terrorist group.

[Arild]

This book begins very clever by comparing Osama bin Laden with some quite interesting people which we now call freedomfighters and not just terrorists. It is also a book that sums up every little an big terrorist act which in some way or another is linked too Osama bin Laden.

How much he really is involved in is though difficult to know but it was an interesting book that i am glad that i have read.

[Jen]

Amazing. I read this when he first published as "Anonymous".
If you've ever wondered why al-Qaeda declared war on America, or how the whole mess seemed to start, this is a great book to read. I've reccomended it dozens of times. It's not scholarly or stuffy, it's intelligent, engaging and extremely well done.
Sadly, it's the only good book he's written. The rest get pretty heavy on the 'bitter bureaucrat with an axe to grind against those nancy-boy politicans'.

[Glenkes]

As a former intelligence officer on Middle Eastern affairs during the period covered, I am amazed both at how much detailed truth Scheurer was able to put into this book and by how easily it was ignored by public and government officials alike. Perhaps if it was written in better story-telling form, it would have had a greater impact. But everything is there that should have saved the United States a whole hell of a lot of grief.

[Dave]

A must read for every american. The books answers alot of "why" questions and explains the motive behind Osama-Bin-Laden and gives alot of insight about his organization. Very well written but the author seems to be a little bitter as if almost supporting the reasons behind Osama's intentions. I dont think that is the intention of the author but too much credit is given to him.

[Andrew]

Although it is fashionable these days to think that Al-Qaeda is not longer a threat. Al-Qaeda has not forgotten about us. If you want to get a thorough understanding of the roots of Al-Qaeda and radical Islam, this book is must read. This is the most thoughtful and informed look at the phenomenon that is available.

[Tom Rodriguez]

A through history of the current war on terror, back through its roots with American support to Afghan mujahaddin during the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1970's. Enlightening, especially when read in concert with some of bin Laden's statements, including his 1998 fatwah. Highly recommended.

[Lucas]

Argued in a strangely sympathetic way, Scheuer delivers the best summary of al Qa'ida's program in the English language. Supposedly, this book is actually used as a ideological manual by non-Arabic speaking Islamists.

[Stephanie]

This is a great book for understanding the rise to power of Osama Bin Laden. Although his intelligence, credibility with Islamists, force of personality and military acumen cannot be easily replaced, I have no doubts America has not heard the last from Islamic insurgents.

[Aleksandra]

Understanding Islam and the Middle East's perception of America, even Bin Laden was quoted as respecting Scheuer's writings. (Along with those of Noam Chomsky)

[Lance]

After 9/11, so many Americans were asking "How?" when they should have been asking "Why?". This book helps explain why.

[Nadir]

Mandatory reading if you wish to render an opinion on our War on Terror.

[Greg]

Breakthrough work on the nature of radical Islam and the US view of it, from the former head of the CIA's Bin Laden unit.

[Nadine]

The original version published 2002 with the author listed as Anonymous.

[Mike]

Generally a boring book to read. But it gives very good insights on Bi Laden's ideological reasons why he declared war on the USA. Changed my perspective from a terrorist to an insurgent.