In the Name of Osama Bin Laden: Global Terrorism and the Bin Laden Brotherhood

This is not you typical USA-centric CNN analysis of UBL and al-Qaeda. Jacquard's book carries the insight of a foreign intelligence organization which is arguably the most adept in the world at counterterrorism. Unlike Bodansky's UBL bio, which though informative was dry and repetitive, this is written in a journalistic style which makes it exceptionally readable. I learned more about al-Qaeda from this book then any other single text. Very highly recommended.

In the Name of Osama bin Laden is a close as we're likely to get to an insider's view of al-Qaeda and the interworkings of those closest to bin Laden. The author has incredible access to internal documents--including terrorist training manuals, translations of communiques from bin Laden to his brotherhood, and intelligence papers--that reveal much about the relationship between political/religious groups and the passions of the bin Laden brotherhood. Some will consider them important to coming to an intellectual understanding of the bin Laden network and the mindset of the terrorist while others might see them as evidence--in either case they definitely reward reading.Roland Jacquard's access to players in the drama distinguishes this book. His April 2001 interview with bin Laden is included. This and the other supporting documents (some in English for the first time) that appear toward the end of the book provide important documentation for Jacquard's analysis and descriptions. They are a crucial part of understanding that the bin Laden Brotherhood is active around the globe and there are large issues that must be dealt with. Chilling, but important.