Knowing the Enemy

Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror

De: Mary Habeck

Narrado por: Jo Anna Perrin

After September 11, Americans agonized over why 19 men hated the United States enough to kill 3,000 civilians in an unprovoked assault. Analysts have offered a wide variety of explanations for the attack, but the one voice missing is that of the terrorists themselves. This penetrating book is the first to present the inner logic of al-Qaeda, and like-minded extremist groups, by which they justify September 11 and other terrorist attacks.

Mary Habeck explains that these extremist groups belong to a new movement - known as jihadism - with a specific ideology based on the thought of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, Hasan al-Banna, and Sayyid Qutb. Jihadist ideology contains new definitions of the unity of God and of jihad, which allow members to call for the destruction of democracy and the United States and to murder innocent men, women, and children. Habeck also suggests how the United States might defeat the jihadis, using their own ideology against them.

©2006 Yale University (P)2010 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"In considerable detail and with admirable clarity, [Habeck] contributes one of the most valuable books on the ongoing Middle East - and world - crisis." ( Booklist)

Very articulately researched

the author clearly did in depth research and shows a great understanding of the enemy's perspective and how to "defeat" them. The book is likewise often dry because of the sheer volume of "data" laid out in her review. I was disappointed that she spent only about one paragraph synthesizing how the information tied together to motivate the 9-11 attackers and didn't address the issue in much detail.

Must read to understand current conflicts

Really loved this, "In their own words" take on the jihadists and why they fight. It filled in several holes in understanding them.