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Osama Bin Laden
9/11 almost instantaneously remade American politics and foreign policy. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Patriot Act, water boarding and Guantanamo are examples of its profound and far-reaching effects. But despite its monumental impact--and a deluge of books about al-Qaeda and Islamist terrorism--no one has written a serious assessment of the man who planned it, Osama bin Laden. Available biographies depict bin Laden as an historical figure, the mastermind behind 9/11, but no longer relevant to the world it created. These accounts, Michael Scheuer strongly believes, have contributed to a widespread and dangerous denial of his continuing significance and power.
In this book, Scheuer provides a much-needed corrective--a hard-headed, closely reasoned portrait of bin Laden, showing him to be a figure of remarkable leadership skills, strategic genius, and considerable rhetorical abilities. The first head of the CIA's bin Laden Unit, where he led the effort to track down bin Laden, Scheuer draws from a wealth of information about bin Laden and his evolution from peaceful Saudi dissident to America's Most Wanted. Shedding light on his development as a theologian, media manipulator, and paramilitary commander, Scheuer makes use of all the speeches and interviews bin Laden has given as well as lengthy interviews, testimony, and previously untranslated documents written by those who grew up with bin Laden in Saudi Arabia, served as his bodyguards and drivers, and fought alongside him against the Soviets. The bin Laden who emerges from these accounts is devout, talented, patient, and ruthless; in other words, a truly formidable and implacable enemy
of the West.
Acclaim for Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terrorism
"Pulls few punches...a fascinating window on America's war with Al Qaeda."
--Michiko Kakutani, New York Times
"No serious observer of the war on terrorism can ignore this scathing critique."
--Peter Bergen, author of Holy War, Inc.
"A powerful, persuasive analysis of the terrorist threat and the Bush administration's failed efforts to fight it."
--Richard A. Clarke, Washington Post Book World
"A fire-breathing denunciation of U.S. counterterrorism policy."
--Julian Borger, The Guardian
"Presents overwhelmingly persuasive evidence to buttress a host of significant and controversial arguments."
--Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly
"Destined to become a classic in the field of counterterrorism analysis."
--Bruce Hoffman, author of Inside Terrorism
In this book, Scheuer provides a much-needed corrective--a hard-headed, closely reasoned portrait of bin Laden, showing him to be a figure of remarkable leadership skills, strategic genius, and considerable rhetorical abilities. The first head of the CIA's bin Laden Unit, where he led the effort to track down bin Laden, Scheuer draws from a wealth of information about bin Laden and his evolution from peaceful Saudi dissident to America's Most Wanted. Shedding light on his development as a theologian, media manipulator, and paramilitary commander, Scheuer makes use of all the speeches and interviews bin Laden has given as well as lengthy interviews, testimony, and previously untranslated documents written by those who grew up with bin Laden in Saudi Arabia, served as his bodyguards and drivers, and fought alongside him against the Soviets. The bin Laden who emerges from these accounts is devout, talented, patient, and ruthless; in other words, a truly formidable and implacable enemy
of the West.
Acclaim for Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terrorism
"Pulls few punches...a fascinating window on America's war with Al Qaeda."
--Michiko Kakutani, New York Times
"No serious observer of the war on terrorism can ignore this scathing critique."
--Peter Bergen, author of Holy War, Inc.
"A powerful, persuasive analysis of the terrorist threat and the Bush administration's failed efforts to fight it."
--Richard A. Clarke, Washington Post Book World
"A fire-breathing denunciation of U.S. counterterrorism policy."
--Julian Borger, The Guardian
"Presents overwhelmingly persuasive evidence to buttress a host of significant and controversial arguments."
--Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly
"Destined to become a classic in the field of counterterrorism analysis."
--Bruce Hoffman, author of Inside Terrorism
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 11, 2011
35 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Michael Scheuer
14 books98 followersMichael 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 20, 2021
Scheuer is a true academic, researcher and analyst. He digs real deep in studying his subject of interest. The amount of research he has done on one of the most feared person of this century is unimaginable. The book was a great read.
September 9, 2021
মূল বইয়ের ব্যাপারে তো কিছু বলার নেই!
মাশাআল্লাহ্ অনুবাদ বেশ ভালো ছিল, হাতেগুনা দু এক জায়গা বাদে বেশ সাবলীল অনুবাদ মাশাআল্লাহ্। সাথে যোগ করে দেয়া টিকাগুলো আলহামদুলিল্লাহ্ অনেক কাজের।
মাশাআল্লাহ্ অনুবাদ বেশ ভালো ছিল, হাতেগুনা দু এক জায়গা বাদে বেশ সাবলীল অনুবাদ মাশাআল্লাহ্। সাথে যোগ করে দেয়া টিকাগুলো আলহামদুলিল্লাহ্ অনেক কাজের।
September 23, 2021
Michael Scheuer's evolution as into QAnon and Trump era conspiracy theorist will no doubt put a question mark over all his work. However, earlier works like Imperial Hubris and this particular book are carefully researched and one cannot fault the scholarship.
Michael Scheuer was Chief of Bin Laden Issue Station at the CIA's Counterterrorism centre 1996 to 1999, which coincided with Bin Laden consolidating himself and his organization Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and planning for the 9/11 attacks.
Scheuer's frustration with how US agencies and overall US media and discourse misunderstand Osama Bin Laden and the threat from Islamist insurgency is clear. This is at the heart of why he even wrote the book despite there being a flood of literature on Osama bin Laden and Terrorism. Scheuer carefully examines the vast trove of existing literature, documents, archives and also pays particular attention to Bin Laden's own words and speeches.
The result is that he comes up with a vastly different portrayal of Osama bin Laden than most mainstream books on the subject have. He puts forward a highly sincere, committed, diligent leader, who even if not a military genius or Islamic expert is still able to marshal and organization through sheer dedication and commitment.
Scheuer's conclusions on Islam, the concept of Jihad, Takfir and other Islamic concepts sound like someone who only started to study and understand these terms post 9/11 with the starting point of Al Qaeda. As a consequence, his conclusions fall short as they use a very post-event/post 9/11 perspective despite the careful research.
However, unlike many bad faith writers, Scheuer still gives space to Islamic scholars and experts even when their conclusions differ from his own. This is why one cannot doubt Scheuer's sincerity to the subject.
This is an important read for anyone trying to understand the Post 9/11 world we inherited, however make sure it's not the only book you read on the subject. It can compliment other equally important books on the subject. This is a vast subject spanning decades, starting in the late 1970s with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan so it will require multiple books and perspectives to gain a solid understanding.
Michael Scheuer was Chief of Bin Laden Issue Station at the CIA's Counterterrorism centre 1996 to 1999, which coincided with Bin Laden consolidating himself and his organization Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and planning for the 9/11 attacks.
Scheuer's frustration with how US agencies and overall US media and discourse misunderstand Osama Bin Laden and the threat from Islamist insurgency is clear. This is at the heart of why he even wrote the book despite there being a flood of literature on Osama bin Laden and Terrorism. Scheuer carefully examines the vast trove of existing literature, documents, archives and also pays particular attention to Bin Laden's own words and speeches.
The result is that he comes up with a vastly different portrayal of Osama bin Laden than most mainstream books on the subject have. He puts forward a highly sincere, committed, diligent leader, who even if not a military genius or Islamic expert is still able to marshal and organization through sheer dedication and commitment.
Scheuer's conclusions on Islam, the concept of Jihad, Takfir and other Islamic concepts sound like someone who only started to study and understand these terms post 9/11 with the starting point of Al Qaeda. As a consequence, his conclusions fall short as they use a very post-event/post 9/11 perspective despite the careful research.
However, unlike many bad faith writers, Scheuer still gives space to Islamic scholars and experts even when their conclusions differ from his own. This is why one cannot doubt Scheuer's sincerity to the subject.
This is an important read for anyone trying to understand the Post 9/11 world we inherited, however make sure it's not the only book you read on the subject. It can compliment other equally important books on the subject. This is a vast subject spanning decades, starting in the late 1970s with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan so it will require multiple books and perspectives to gain a solid understanding.
May 2, 2011
Whether as man or myth, arguably no one since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has more profoundly affected American daily life than Osama bin Laden. As author Michael Scheuer argues cogently in his new biography of bin Laden, since his formal declaration of war against the United States in 1996, bin Laden has deliberately drawn America into armed conflicts of varying durations but substantial costs in Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Since past is present's prologue, likely bin Laden will goad further American military action in the turmoils currently roiling north Africa and the Middle East. Using a plethora of authoritative sources, including most importantly the words and writings of bin Laden himself, Scheuer demonstrates that bin Laden attempts these manipulations to lure America into ruinous wars where victory is ever elusive but the prolonged loss of American blood and treasure is assured. In this concise and well-written book, former chief of the CIA's bin Laden unit Scheuer presents a compelling argument that American political, military and media leaders are engaged in mortal combat with a fabricated enemy of their own creation and preference, instead of with bin Laden himself. Scheuer's book is a valiant effort to present bin Laden the man, rather than the phantasm he's become in many American minds. Only when America understands the man and his true motives, strengths and limitations, says Scheuer, can America engage and defeat bin Laden in realistic and definitive terms. As America finds itself mired in the second decade of a multi-front Al Qaeda War bin Laden began during the Clinton administration, Scheuer's book should be mandatory reading both for anyone curious why this war rages on without seeming end, and for American politicians and generals eager to fight the enemy they have, rather than the one they imagine.
February 14, 2012
This book was written by Michael Scheuer, who was the first head of the CIA's Osama bin Laden unit. The author was a counterterrorist analyst for the CIA.
We hear many things in the news about Osama bin Laden. Much of it seems contradictory, and much of it does not seem accurate. Why is this? The author decided to evaluate OBL from his own words -- speeches, publications, and his own writings first and foremost. In the past, military adversaries studied each other and tried to understand why and how they planned and behaved as they did. A good example of this would be the study that Patton made of Rommel during WWII that allowed Patton to defeat the German Panzer battalion in North Africa.
Schuer's premise is that we have based our understanding of OBL on media and political rhetoric and not on what the man himself said. As a result of this, we have totally misunderstood and misrepresented what OBL wanted to do. Patton was able to defeat Rommel because he studied the man himself. If Patton were to approach Rommel the way the US is approaching OBL, Patton would never have won because he would have been fighting an adversary who actually did not exist.
Scheuer does a masterful job of showing how both the Bush and the Obama administration foreign policy has set the US military up for defeat, not because they are outclassed by a superior adversary, but because they are not fighting the real adversary. I recommend this book highly. I am looking now for comments and updates from the author on OBL since his death in May 2011.
We hear many things in the news about Osama bin Laden. Much of it seems contradictory, and much of it does not seem accurate. Why is this? The author decided to evaluate OBL from his own words -- speeches, publications, and his own writings first and foremost. In the past, military adversaries studied each other and tried to understand why and how they planned and behaved as they did. A good example of this would be the study that Patton made of Rommel during WWII that allowed Patton to defeat the German Panzer battalion in North Africa.
Schuer's premise is that we have based our understanding of OBL on media and political rhetoric and not on what the man himself said. As a result of this, we have totally misunderstood and misrepresented what OBL wanted to do. Patton was able to defeat Rommel because he studied the man himself. If Patton were to approach Rommel the way the US is approaching OBL, Patton would never have won because he would have been fighting an adversary who actually did not exist.
Scheuer does a masterful job of showing how both the Bush and the Obama administration foreign policy has set the US military up for defeat, not because they are outclassed by a superior adversary, but because they are not fighting the real adversary. I recommend this book highly. I am looking now for comments and updates from the author on OBL since his death in May 2011.
November 2, 2012
After reading this book, I still feel I don't know who Osama Bin Laden was or who he said he was. The author spent most of the time quoting other authors and saying that they were wrong and why. With endless quotes, I could hardly figure out what the author was trying to say other than everyone else is wrong. Osama was hard working, probably never cut off from his family, fully versed in the Koran but hardly a scholar, not so evil but not so good, learned a lot from fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan and intent on limiting Western involvement in Islamic countries. He dreamed of destroying the West by luring them into an endless war in Afghanistan but was a bit thrown by the war in Iraq. Fully welcomed by the Pashtun and they would never give him up. Hidden in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border or in Pakistan itself. I guess that is what I got out of this book but really have no sense of a person. Maybe it's too difficult.
April 12, 2013
Reveiw #3
Osama Bin Laden wants to make a statement but he does it in a very violent manner, so the US sends Seal team Six to find him and kill him. Michael Scheuer’s Osama Bin Laden explains in utter detail the entire life of Osama Bin Laden. This unthrilling fictional story answers all the questions you had about the infamous Osama Bin Laden in painful blunt fact. Although this book’s turtle slow pace is packed with some crazy and interesting facts, I diffidently would not recommend it as a pleasurable read. This book is not one I enjoy, but it would be a great book for research purposes. All in all, I would have to say that I do not recommend the book for a free read purpose book.
May 27, 2011
He did his homework. Great footnotes. Minor point. I felt sorry for the author. He took "x" amount of time out of his life to write this book. It was released this year (my library copy is dated April.) And then weeks later...bin Laden is killed and everything he is stating is altered to the past tense, and missing the chapter(s) on his death. Nonetheless, it was interesting to see how media is manipulated to perceive other cultures, people and religions for their own gain. Not that we don't know this happens, but a reminder.
December 12, 2019
"Osama Bin Laden" authored by Michael Scheuer is deliciously fantastic.
Upon first reading this book I felt like I was sitting in front of Osama Bin Laden and he was telling me all about himself and his personal aspirations in forming Al-Qaeda.
The inside account is brilliant!
Upon first reading this book I felt like I was sitting in front of Osama Bin Laden and he was telling me all about himself and his personal aspirations in forming Al-Qaeda.
The inside account is brilliant!
February 2, 2011
Enjoyed the book but just heard the author on the news and he sounds a little crazy.
October 26, 2017
The life of Osama Bin Laden
The book I checked out is The Life Of Osama Bin Laden. What made me want to get the book is because of my desire to learn about the Middle East. I grew up in a Military family who are now retired veterans from serving in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. My uncles and father told me stories of their experiences, and what positions they had. Because of this, I always thought, “what if there is more to learn.”
Mike Scheuer, talked about Osama bin Laden’s life before he ran the Al-Qaeda and how he turned from good to an evil person. The book explains how his family developed, and what activities he was involved in as a child and the education he attend growing up in Saudi Arabia. Bin Laden was a good student studying hard, wanting to make good grades, and growing up he worked for under construction with his father, and learned how to make bombs to destroy and help rebuild new tunnels and railroad tracks for trade businesses, and transportation. After serving in the red army and the invasion of the Soviet Union as he got older, it affected his way of how he viewed the world. However, his way of claiming war on the U.S.A in 1996 and during the Presidencies of Obama and Bush is still a mystery. The book explains about the effects of 9/11. The book said it`s to be a mystery that Bin Laden and his crew got ideas from Hitler’s papers and documents when planning the invasion. There`re so many things to look up and think about the Middle East after reading this book. If you have a huge desire to learn about another evil dictator just like Hitler and Stallion, I would recommend this book.
Mike Scheuer has been the dean of the U.S. government analysts of Osama Bin Laden since he has continued to be the most original and thoughtful interpreters of Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda, and many other parts of the Middle East when studying abroad. Through his experiences , he made other books called; “Marching toward hell”, “America and Islam after Iraq”, “Imperial Hubris”, “Through our enemies eyes”, “America and the Middle East (challenges for the future.)”.
The book recommends from other writers Scheuer knew. “Holy war Inc.”, “The Osama Bin Laden I know. ”, “National Security Correspondent.”, “The Washington Post.”, “Director Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies.”, “Columbia University.”, and “Beyond Terror and Endless War.”
One thing I`m wondering about is the Quote “Praise for the New York Times Bestseller, Imperial Hubris.” “A powerful, Persuasive analysis of the terrorist threat and the Bush administration`s failed efforts to fight it.” I did not pay much attention to President Bush during the time because I was just a small child. I wish they would explain why get the Imperial Hubris book? What makes it stand out? Why read it? I think it needs more info. The book doesn’t explain what other parts of this book on why it`s recommended?
The book I checked out is The Life Of Osama Bin Laden. What made me want to get the book is because of my desire to learn about the Middle East. I grew up in a Military family who are now retired veterans from serving in the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. My uncles and father told me stories of their experiences, and what positions they had. Because of this, I always thought, “what if there is more to learn.”
Mike Scheuer, talked about Osama bin Laden’s life before he ran the Al-Qaeda and how he turned from good to an evil person. The book explains how his family developed, and what activities he was involved in as a child and the education he attend growing up in Saudi Arabia. Bin Laden was a good student studying hard, wanting to make good grades, and growing up he worked for under construction with his father, and learned how to make bombs to destroy and help rebuild new tunnels and railroad tracks for trade businesses, and transportation. After serving in the red army and the invasion of the Soviet Union as he got older, it affected his way of how he viewed the world. However, his way of claiming war on the U.S.A in 1996 and during the Presidencies of Obama and Bush is still a mystery. The book explains about the effects of 9/11. The book said it`s to be a mystery that Bin Laden and his crew got ideas from Hitler’s papers and documents when planning the invasion. There`re so many things to look up and think about the Middle East after reading this book. If you have a huge desire to learn about another evil dictator just like Hitler and Stallion, I would recommend this book.
Mike Scheuer has been the dean of the U.S. government analysts of Osama Bin Laden since he has continued to be the most original and thoughtful interpreters of Bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda, and many other parts of the Middle East when studying abroad. Through his experiences , he made other books called; “Marching toward hell”, “America and Islam after Iraq”, “Imperial Hubris”, “Through our enemies eyes”, “America and the Middle East (challenges for the future.)”.
The book recommends from other writers Scheuer knew. “Holy war Inc.”, “The Osama Bin Laden I know. ”, “National Security Correspondent.”, “The Washington Post.”, “Director Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies.”, “Columbia University.”, and “Beyond Terror and Endless War.”
One thing I`m wondering about is the Quote “Praise for the New York Times Bestseller, Imperial Hubris.” “A powerful, Persuasive analysis of the terrorist threat and the Bush administration`s failed efforts to fight it.” I did not pay much attention to President Bush during the time because I was just a small child. I wish they would explain why get the Imperial Hubris book? What makes it stand out? Why read it? I think it needs more info. The book doesn’t explain what other parts of this book on why it`s recommended?
October 26, 2022
📕📕📕 সাম্রাজ্যের ত্রাস
লেখকঃ মাইকেল শ'ইয়ার ( মার্কিন কেন্দ্রীয় গোয়েন্দা সংস্থা CIA এর প্রাক্তন কর্মকর্তা)
প্রথমেই লেখকের পরিচয় টা দেয়াটা প্রয়োজন মনে করছি।
Michael Scheuer একাধারে একজন ব্লগার, লেখক, আমেরিকান পররাষ্ট্রনীতির সমালোচক। সবচেয়ে বড় পরিচয় হচ্ছে লেখক ১৯৯৬-৯৯ সাল পর্যন্ত CIA এর কাউন্টার টেররিজম ইউনিটের "বিন লাদেন ইস্যু " ইউনিটের প্রধান হিসেবে দায়িত্ব পালন করেন।
তিনি ওসামা বিন লাদেন কে নিজের শত্রু হিসেবে দেখলে ও জাজমেন্টের ক্ষেত্রে সৎ ছিল। বইটা মূলত "বিন লাদেন" এর জীবনি নিয়ে। তাকে নিয়ে আমেরিকান এই গোয়েন্দা কর্মকর্তার গবেষণার ফলাফল বলা যেতে পারে বইটাকে।
যেমন বইটার শুরুতেই মাইকেল শইয়ার স্পষ্ট করেছেন তার উদ্দেশ্য।
" আমার উদ্দেশ্য ওসামা বিন লাদেনের প্রশংসা করা নয়, বরং তাকে কবর দিতে সাহায্য করা। কিন্তু তা করার জন্য আমাদের আগে তিনি কে? এবং তিনি কি? এসব বিষয় জানতে হবে। সে সম্পর্কে আন্তরিক মন ও স্পষ্ট দৃষ্টির মূল্যয়ন প্রয়োজন "
— মাইকেল শইয়ার
💠 অনূভুতি /মন্তব্য /প্রতিক্রিয়া
জিওপলিটিক্স নিয়ে পড়তে গিয়েই গ্লোবাল জিহাদের প্রতি কৌতুহল জাগে। কৌতুহল থেকেই বইটা সংগ্রহ করা।
প্রথমত পড়তে গিয়ে অবাক হই খ্রিস্টান এই লেখকের ইসলাম সম্পর্কে এত গভীর জ্ঞান দেখে। জাস্ট অবাক করার মত। বিশেষ করে ইসলামি ইতিহাস।
সোনার চামচ নিয়ে জন্ম নেয়া বিন লাদেন কিভাবে আমেরিকার জন্য ত্রাস হয়ে ওঠে সেটাই বইয়ের আলোচ্য বিষয়।
এই বই নিয়ে আসলে কি আর মন্তব্য করব ? জাস্ট মিডিয়া যা দেখায় সেটার উল্টো দিকে কেন চিন্তা করতে হবে সেটা আবার আয়ত্ত্ব করলাম।
Some quota from this book
এক
/ স্ত্রী -সন্তান রা সংগ্রামের সঙ্গী হলে জীবন খুবই উপভোগ্য হয়ে ওঠে।
— OBL
দুই
/ নিরবতা'ই আমাদের আসল প্রপাগাণ্ডা। (শত্রুর সমস্ত দোষারোপের) অস্বীকৃতি, কৈফিয়ত কিংবা বিশুদ্ধতা জানান দিতে যাওয়া তা কেবল আপনার সময় ই নষ্ট করবে। আর এগুলোর মাধ্যমে শত্রু আসলে আপনাকে এমনসব বিষয়ে মনোযোগী করাতে চায়, যেগুলোর সত্যিকার কোন প্রয়োজন নেই।
— OBL
তিন
/ নিঃসন্দেহে কাফিরদের ভূমিতে গিয়ে হামলা করা আত্মরক্ষামূলক জিহাদের অংশ। কেননা এই হামলা গুলোর উদ্দেশ্য হল যাতে আগ্রাসী শত্রু আমাদের ভূমি গুলো থেকে চলে যায়।
— AAZ
চার
/ অচিরেই সালাউদ্দিন আইয়ূবীর মত উসামা বিন লাদেনের নাম ও একজন কিংবদন্তী হিসেবে ইসলামের ইতিহাসে স্বর্ণাক্ষরে লেখা থাকবে।
— লেখক ( Michael Scheurer)
পাঁচ
/ আগ্রাসী শত্রুর ঘাঁটিতে গিয়ে হামলা করা সর্বোৎকৃষ্ট সামরিক কৌশল
— Sun Tzu
এস. শাহরিয়ার (২৩.১০.২০২২)
লেখকঃ মাইকেল শ'ইয়ার ( মার্কিন কেন্দ্রীয় গোয়েন্দা সংস্থা CIA এর প্রাক্তন কর্মকর্তা)
প্রথমেই লেখকের পরিচয় টা দেয়াটা প্রয়োজন মনে করছি।
Michael Scheuer একাধারে একজন ব্লগার, লেখক, আমেরিকান পররাষ্ট্রনীতির সমালোচক। সবচেয়ে বড় পরিচয় হচ্ছে লেখক ১৯৯৬-৯৯ সাল পর্যন্ত CIA এর কাউন্টার টেররিজম ইউনিটের "বিন লাদেন ইস্যু " ইউনিটের প্রধান হিসেবে দায়িত্ব পালন করেন।
তিনি ওসামা বিন লাদেন কে নিজের শত্রু হিসেবে দেখলে ও জাজমেন্টের ক্ষেত্রে সৎ ছিল। বইটা মূলত "বিন লাদেন" এর জীবনি নিয়ে। তাকে নিয়ে আমেরিকান এই গোয়েন্দা কর্মকর্তার গবেষণার ফলাফল বলা যেতে পারে বইটাকে।
যেমন বইটার শুরুতেই মাইকেল শইয়ার স্পষ্ট করেছেন তার উদ্দেশ্য।
" আমার উদ্দেশ্য ওসামা বিন লাদেনের প্রশংসা করা নয়, বরং তাকে কবর দিতে সাহায্য করা। কিন্তু তা করার জন্য আমাদের আগে তিনি কে? এবং তিনি কি? এসব বিষয় জানতে হবে। সে সম্পর্কে আন্তরিক মন ও স্পষ্ট দৃষ্টির মূল্যয়ন প্রয়োজন "
— মাইকেল শইয়ার
💠 অনূভুতি /মন্তব্য /প্রতিক্রিয়া
জিওপলিটিক্স নিয়ে পড়তে গিয়েই গ্লোবাল জিহাদের প্রতি কৌতুহল জাগে। কৌতুহল থেকেই বইটা সংগ্রহ করা।
প্রথমত পড়তে গিয়ে অবাক হই খ্রিস্টান এই লেখকের ইসলাম সম্পর্কে এত গভীর জ্ঞান দেখে। জাস্ট অবাক করার মত। বিশেষ করে ইসলামি ইতিহাস।
সোনার চামচ নিয়ে জন্ম নেয়া বিন লাদেন কিভাবে আমেরিকার জন্য ত্রাস হয়ে ওঠে সেটাই বইয়ের আলোচ্য বিষয়।
এই বই নিয়ে আসলে কি আর মন্তব্য করব ? জাস্ট মিডিয়া যা দেখায় সেটার উল্টো দিকে কেন চিন্তা করতে হবে সেটা আবার আয়ত্ত্ব করলাম।
Some quota from this book
এক
/ স্ত্রী -সন্তান রা সংগ্রামের সঙ্গী হলে জীবন খুবই উপভোগ্য হয়ে ওঠে।
— OBL
দুই
/ নিরবতা'ই আমাদের আসল প্রপাগাণ্ডা। (শত্রুর সমস্ত দোষারোপের) অস্বীকৃতি, কৈফিয়ত কিংবা বিশুদ্ধতা জানান দিতে যাওয়া তা কেবল আপনার সময় ই নষ্ট করবে। আর এগুলোর মাধ্যমে শত্রু আসলে আপনাকে এমনসব বিষয়ে মনোযোগী করাতে চায়, যেগুলোর সত্যিকার কোন প্রয়োজন নেই।
— OBL
তিন
/ নিঃসন্দেহে কাফিরদের ভূমিতে গিয়ে হামলা করা আত্মরক্ষামূলক জিহাদের অংশ। কেননা এই হামলা গুলোর উদ্দেশ্য হল যাতে আগ্রাসী শত্রু আমাদের ভূমি গুলো থেকে চলে যায়।
— AAZ
চার
/ অচিরেই সালাউদ্দিন আইয়ূবীর মত উসামা বিন লাদেনের নাম ও একজন কিংবদন্তী হিসেবে ইসলামের ইতিহাসে স্বর্ণাক্ষরে লেখা থাকবে।
— লেখক ( Michael Scheurer)
পাঁচ
/ আগ্রাসী শত্রুর ঘাঁটিতে গিয়ে হামলা করা সর্বোৎকৃষ্ট সামরিক কৌশল
— Sun Tzu
এস. শাহরিয়ার (২৩.১০.২০২২)
April 23, 2019
Authoritative and readable, Scheuer has assembled what he hopes to be *the* Osama bin Laden biography. Treading a fine line between academic gravitas and journalistic narrative, Scheuer's book filled in many of the gaps in my knowledge of bin Laden. I grew to understand and even begrudgingly respect his abilities as both a leader of men and capital and an organizer of a powerful cause. One can't help but to notice and even be impressed by his deep liousness and his sense of devotion to the cause of global Islamist resurgence.
This book is a part of a wider range of bin Laden scholarship. I can't claim any familiarity with this field, but Scheuer unpacks the other narratives deftly for his audience, giving credit where credit is due but also picking apart various official narratives that suit Saudi and other powerful interests. Sheuer is not on the warpath. He merely insists that all the facts must be considered. As a result, unlike most OBL biographies, the book contains many references to the terrorist mastermind's papers - personal, business, or familial in origin. Scheuer, throughout the cearly plotted life of his subject, writes with sharp and relentless devotion of his own. He wants to get this right, to make a serious contribution that can assist his country make better, more effective policy to better carry out its national interests - and to save lives, on both sides. In my opinion he has done so. Anyone with even a passing interest in recent world history should crack this book open sometime.
This book is a part of a wider range of bin Laden scholarship. I can't claim any familiarity with this field, but Scheuer unpacks the other narratives deftly for his audience, giving credit where credit is due but also picking apart various official narratives that suit Saudi and other powerful interests. Sheuer is not on the warpath. He merely insists that all the facts must be considered. As a result, unlike most OBL biographies, the book contains many references to the terrorist mastermind's papers - personal, business, or familial in origin. Scheuer, throughout the cearly plotted life of his subject, writes with sharp and relentless devotion of his own. He wants to get this right, to make a serious contribution that can assist his country make better, more effective policy to better carry out its national interests - and to save lives, on both sides. In my opinion he has done so. Anyone with even a passing interest in recent world history should crack this book open sometime.
June 26, 2022
মাস্টারপিস। মাইকেল শাইয়ার যেমন বলেছেন শত্রুর প্রশংসা করা তার উদ্দেশ্য নয় বরং শত্রুকে কবর দেওয়ার জন্যই শত্রুর নিরপেক্ষ বিশ্লেষণ প্রয়োজন। এই নিরপেক্ষ বিশ্লেষণ করতে গিয়ে তিনি সত্যকে ফুটিয়ে তুলেছেন। আমাদের সমাজে প্রচলিত বিভিন্ন ন্যারেটিভ গুলোর ও খন্ডন করা হয়েছে। অনুবাদক ও সম্পাদক গণ ভালো কাজ করেছেন। তারা টিকার মাধ্যমে যেখানে লেখক ভুল করেছেন সেগুলো শুধরে দিয়েছেন । একটা মাস্ট রিড বই।
রেটিং : ৫/৫
রেটিং : ৫/৫
Read
September 7, 2025A take on a very controversial figure, as americans it is our prerogative to understand who this character is, we must be critical of what we are told. Why are americans being sent off to foreign wars in the middle east. Why and how did he became who he was. Why was he a threat? Listen to his Al Jazeera Interviews, understand his motivations.
January 19, 2020
There're so many books about Bin Laden which are full of lies, distortions, inaccuracies and myths, but Michael's book isn't one of them.
January 21, 2022
This one wasn't as funny as Mein Kampf, but still hilarious nonetheless.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
July 13, 2024
Excellent treatise on bin laden!
VERY good book on them bin ladens evolution traces his ideology very deeply, providing exceeptional insight that's readily understood. Recommended l
VERY good book on them bin ladens evolution traces his ideology very deeply, providing exceeptional insight that's readily understood. Recommended l
April 15, 2025
biografia di bin laden che a quanto pare ha fatto anche cose buone (boh strano)
January 12, 2014
A slim but nonetheless engaging look at a person that for the most part I feel the public have been misinformed about and who has historically been painted as a one dimensional bogey man. It is hard to read about Bin Laden and push the terrible images of 9/11 to the back of your mind let alone the image that has been painted of him in the media. Reading this went to prove that just about all of the popular narrative relating to him and his cause is based on incorrect and inaccurate information. Scheuer does his best to unstitch the vast array of inaccuracies that have been spread about Bin Laden, the rise of Al Queda and radical Islam offering a broader perspective on how the actions of both sides have lead to the very real suffering that is still taking place in the middle east. The Bin Laden that Scheuer offers is in many ways the antithesis of the black sheep, scorned billionaire, religious nutter, megalomaniac that we are so used to reading about and offers us a picture of a spiritually driven, dedicated and in a perverted sense ethical leader who created a powerful movement that unified many varied and diverse groups into a powerful force that continues to plague their far larger and better equipped enemies. In doing so he highlights many of the problems being offered such a singular view of a person and indeed a religion and the political struggles related to it engender. In essence saying that despite the death of the Bogeyman if we fail to understand Bin Laden as an individual we will fall victim to the same mistakes, arrogant choices and self serving political decisions that paved the way for his rise. As I said at the start its hard to pick up a book like this and push aside the images of the atrocities carried out by Bin Laden's Jihad but I do feel that given the continued problems that have been borne of our refusal to confront such difficult truths with regards our own countries political choices we must seek understanding by looking at the root cause of the discontent and violence and in this sense we can thank Scheuer for providing us with a succinct portrait of its most important mouth piece.
March 2, 2012
This book by Scheuer is a different and refreshing view of Osama than the mainstream media and public opinions.I have heard and read many times than Scheuer was a bin Laden apologist and blamed the United States for the problems of international terrorism.This is definately not the view I have after reading this book.Mr.Scheuer is positively an American patriot who strongly thinks that it is wiser and more efficient to actually try to understand the motives of al-Qaeda and its branches.I personally agree.
The important thing to remember here is,to defeat your enemies you must outsmart and outflank them.This goes for all aspects:political,geographical,militarily,and the one part that nobody seems to be interested in:religiously.Bin Laden was not some kook who just ranted and raved against America,he actually believed he was doing the work of Allah.And he worked hard to get the backing of spiritual leaders around the Muslim world.He wanted everything he did to have the backing of the Koran and to be based in Islamic law,much like we in the United States look for final authority in the Constitution or the Supreme Court.
Also,Mr.Scheuer seems to be a throwback to the days when the military was not interested in winning the 'hearts and minds' of the enemy,as actually winning the struggle they were involved in.I agree with him here too.I think it would behoove us to get in where we need to go,do what we need to do,and stop this nonsensical idea of 'nation-building'
Lastly,he also blasts some other writers on the subject such as Lawrence Wright and Steve Coll.He doesn't just write that they are wrong,but calls them such terms as 'empty-headed'.This writing style doesn't really bother me,but now I can understand why he is loathed by other writers and the media.
Looking forward to reading other books by Michael Scheuer.
The important thing to remember here is,to defeat your enemies you must outsmart and outflank them.This goes for all aspects:political,geographical,militarily,and the one part that nobody seems to be interested in:religiously.Bin Laden was not some kook who just ranted and raved against America,he actually believed he was doing the work of Allah.And he worked hard to get the backing of spiritual leaders around the Muslim world.He wanted everything he did to have the backing of the Koran and to be based in Islamic law,much like we in the United States look for final authority in the Constitution or the Supreme Court.
Also,Mr.Scheuer seems to be a throwback to the days when the military was not interested in winning the 'hearts and minds' of the enemy,as actually winning the struggle they were involved in.I agree with him here too.I think it would behoove us to get in where we need to go,do what we need to do,and stop this nonsensical idea of 'nation-building'
Lastly,he also blasts some other writers on the subject such as Lawrence Wright and Steve Coll.He doesn't just write that they are wrong,but calls them such terms as 'empty-headed'.This writing style doesn't really bother me,but now I can understand why he is loathed by other writers and the media.
Looking forward to reading other books by Michael Scheuer.
May 16, 2011
A very to the point, though brief biography of Osama bin Laden, the author, former chief of the CIA's bin Laden unit, explains in detail, using bin Laden's own words, his life, influences, and mission as al Qaeda's (former) chief. The author is very critical of US foreign policy, but not in the same sense as one might expect from a liberal or conservative talking point. He is critical of Presidents Bush Sr., Clinton, Bush, and Obama for failing to understand and communicate bin Laden's goals, thus
endangering America in the long run. I agreed on some points and not on others, but I trust his opinion and experience over my own arm chair general knowledge. This is not a typical biography and in fact reads more like an intelligence brief. Very well researched and documented, using primary sources.This book may challenge your opinions on bin Laden as this book cuts through the media created caricature of the evil mad Muslim he was believed to be.
endangering America in the long run. I agreed on some points and not on others, but I trust his opinion and experience over my own arm chair general knowledge. This is not a typical biography and in fact reads more like an intelligence brief. Very well researched and documented, using primary sources.This book may challenge your opinions on bin Laden as this book cuts through the media created caricature of the evil mad Muslim he was believed to be.
July 31, 2011
"On August 23, 2010, exactly fifteen years had passed since Osama bin Laden first declared war on the United States. Since bin Laden's declaration--one he reiterated in February 1998, in case we hadn't been listening that first time--Americans have heard and read an enormous amount about the man, his al-Qaeda organization, and their Islamist allies, from politicians, historians, theologians, and social scientists; from radio, press, and television pundits across the political spectrum; from admirals and generals; from westernized Muslims and evangelical preachers; from professional and armcahir psychiatrists; from Just war theorists; and from the politically correct and incorrect. Armed with this torrent of advice and commentary, Americans their their government--under both parties--have sallied forth to do battle
And they have failed miserably in every conceivable way"
-----
how about that for the opening remarks of a book
And they have failed miserably in every conceivable way"
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how about that for the opening remarks of a book
March 9, 2011
Michael Scheuer is one of the world's most knowledgeable experts on Bin Laden. His first book Imperial Hubris was great. In this work he shows a respect for Bin Laden as a person and a leader of a coordinated movement with a long range plan. Probably because the more important he makes Bin Laden out to be the more important Mr. Scheuer's insight is he seems to over rate Bin Laden's importance in the real world. Mr Scheuer reports on all of bin Laden's many statements and tries to show how they influence the Muslim world. In reality there are few Muslims who have any idea of all these statements and even less are influenced by them. Mr. Scheuer may be misleading himself by imagining other have his broad knowledge of Benny.
January 10, 2016
What I didn't expect to find in this book was an American admiring Bin Laden; though surprising, yet it was nice to see the writer's respect for his enemy. Eventhough I don't agree with the writer's analysis of many situations and his conclusions; no one can deny how much effort was put in such a book from the accurate dates, names, and history. Noting that this book wasn't that catchy to me (not the sort of books that I keep in my handbag wherever I go), but the last few chapters were markedly better than the first ones because they weren't only discussing Bin Laden's biography, but rather started discussing the Al-Qaeda situation as a whole (knowing that this book is not a typical biography, it is more of an analytic book)
March 5, 2011
Great job, Mr. Scheuer. If people don't understand bin Laden's gripes and aims by the end of this book, they aren't paying attention. The book looks at bin Laden, past the urban legends, from a man who knows the inside scoop.
If you are interested in what motivates the man and what he is hoping to accomplish (and the United States hopefully thwart), this is essential reading.
I also saw Mr. Scheuer visit Portland for a book reading. It was a wonderful evening, and despite what one of the commenters below had to say, didn't find him crazy in the slightest. Of course, you may not like what he has to say, but that doesn't mean he's wrong.
If you are interested in what motivates the man and what he is hoping to accomplish (and the United States hopefully thwart), this is essential reading.
I also saw Mr. Scheuer visit Portland for a book reading. It was a wonderful evening, and despite what one of the commenters below had to say, didn't find him crazy in the slightest. Of course, you may not like what he has to say, but that doesn't mean he's wrong.
February 14, 2012
An interesting biography of bin Laden by the former head of the CIA bin Laden Unit. Scheuer believes the West continually underestimates and demonizes bin Laden rather then attempting to understand his motives, causing the West to be more vulnerable. This isn't a book you can enjoy, but it's a good book to read if you want to understand the continuing "war on terror." While a good book, I don't think it equals Scheuer's earlier, Imperial Hubris or Marching Toward Hell, both of which I highly recommend.[return][return]Bad timing in that the book was released just a few months before OBL's death. Still worth reading however.
September 29, 2012
Say what you will about Scheuer's personality, his history, or writing style; there's no disputing that the man knows his business when he speaks of bin Laden. This book is infinitely better than "Marching Toward Hell," and has much of the same vitality that was in "Imperial Hubris."
Scheuer explains common misconceptions surrounding bin Laden and al Qaeda as an organization; he explains why bin Laden is not a bloodthirsty, American-hating mass murderer but a devout Muslim with roots firmly planted in the mainstream of Islamic doctrine.
This book could also be aptly titled, "Why Western Media Fails to Explain bin Laden." Definitely worth the read, even after bin Laden's demise.
Scheuer explains common misconceptions surrounding bin Laden and al Qaeda as an organization; he explains why bin Laden is not a bloodthirsty, American-hating mass murderer but a devout Muslim with roots firmly planted in the mainstream of Islamic doctrine.
This book could also be aptly titled, "Why Western Media Fails to Explain bin Laden." Definitely worth the read, even after bin Laden's demise.
May 28, 2012
Fascinating! We really get inside bin Laden's mind. The details of his life are very important and relevant in order to learn how he developed his radical beliefs and his motives for violent jihad. While his actions were completely inexcusable, I see the direction he is coming from. Many of his perceptions of America I strongly disagree with. However, this new and accurate description of bin Laden has changed my perspective of him. The villains in history have never seen themselves as evil, but heroes instead. Osama bin Laden was a perfect example.
Want to read
April 26, 2012WHY DIDN'T BUSH GO AFTER BIN LADEN?
http://generation-add.blogspot.com/20...
http://generation-add.blogspot.com/20...
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