Holy War Inc or Still More George W Bushisms

Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama bin Laden

Author: Peter L Bergen

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever as more than three thousand men, women, and children lost their lives in the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil. The attack was masterminded by Osama bin Laden and his Jihad group -- an organization that CNN's terrorism analyst Peter Bergen calls Holy War, Inc. One of the few Western journalists to have interviewed bin Laden face-to-face, Bergen has produced the definitive book on the global Jihadist network, revealing:

How bin Laden lives, travels, and communicates with his "cells."

How his role in the crushing defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan made him a hero to Muslims all over the world.

How the bombings of the American embassies in Africa and the USS Cole in Yemen were planned and executed.

What we can expect from Islamic extremists in the future.

Above all, Peter Bergen helps us to see bin Laden's organization in a radically new light: as a corporation that has exploited modern technology and weaponry in the service of global terrorism and the destruction of the West.

Both author and publisher will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Publishers Weekly

Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Osama Bin Laden by Peter L. Bergen. CNN journalist Bergen examines the activities and mission of the terrorist leader suspected of the September 11 attacks. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

As CNN terrorism analyst Bergen avows, this journalistic study of Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda terrorist network was rushed to publication and thus lacks some editorial smoothness in its delivery. Nevertheless, this book offers a mature, balanced description of bin Laden's background; a concise summary of the organization of the al-Qaeda terrorist network as it has developed in the Middle East, Europe, and America; and a brief narrative of terrorist events through September 11. Bergen asserts that bin Laden's hostility emanates from his religious opposition to an American military presence in Saudi Arabia, American policy toward Israel, and the "un-Islamic" behavior of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Bergen personalizes his story with an account of his 1997 interview with bin Laden and the contacts he made with bin Laden's militant Islamic associates. Here, an interesting story drifts a bit from bin Laden to accounts of al-Qaeda operations. Bergen has, however, pulled together a significant amount of solid information, which he presents with perception and without grand swings of passion. This is an important initial glimpse of bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the associated Taliban of Afghanistan and is strongly recommended for all libraries. John F. Riddick, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Interesting book: Yoga Turns Back the Clock Deck or Staying Sober

Still More George W. Bushisms: "Neither in French nor in English nor in Mexican"

Author: Jacob Weisberg

There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again."

With signature remarks like these, it's hardly surprising that George W. Bush's malapropisms have become renowned around the world. Editions of Bushisms have become bestsellers in Germany, France, and Italy, and they remain as popular in the United States as ever. Jacob Weisberg, faithful scribe, here presents the best of the latest crop:

"There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."

"I'm the master of low expectations."

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill.

Publishers Weekly

As Franken gleefully points out, Slate editor Weisberg has found a true gravy train, discovering enough previously uncollected nonsensical utterances by President Bush to fill a third volume. The president may have begun watching what he says since the publication of the first two volumes; Weisberg has to return to the 2000 campaign trail to fill out this collection. At least one statement, substituting "plowed" for "proud," raises the question of a presidential speech impediment, but that excuse won't get the self-proclaimed "master of low expectations" out of any of the other verbal missteps recorded here for posterity. (Nov. 4) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.