|
"Must Read Books"
1. Infiltration - Paul Sperry
2. Global Jihad - Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo
3. America Alone - Mark Steyn
4. Londonistan - Melanie Phillips
5. Milestones - Sayeed Qutub (free download: www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/MB/Milestones.pdf)
Book Reviews
The Global War on Terrorism
The following are brief reviews of books concerning the Global War on Terrorism. The reviewer is a historian and Christian who studies Muslim terrorists, their methods and tactics, from a military perspective.
Freedom is not free.
Highly recommended.
Ralph Peters. Wars of Blood and Faith: The Conflicts That Will Shape the 21st Century. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2007. ISBN-10: 081170274X.
1. Rating (out of five): Four [4].
2. Description: Peters tackles one of the most critical issues facing the world today. The author’s principal theme is that the wars of the past several centuries, which largely erupted over political ideologies, are over, and that traditionally (historically) normal conflicts of violent ethnicity and religion – his Blood and Faith theme – again face us.
These types of wars, which are almost always horribly bloody, will spawn vicious genocide, global terrorism and insurgencies. The author unabashedly tears into Americans as a people unaware of the danger, and concerning the lack of vision displayed by U.S. leaders, and describes how vital it is to take drastic measures to protect freedom against this new breed of enemies.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This is an easy read for the most part, however, Peters can also ramble a bit. A colleague describes his writing style as “frothy,” which is an apt description. What he has to say is crucial to everyone’s awareness of the threat, however, and concerned people should read this book.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: Peters gets it. He clearly analyzes some of the key reasons behind Americans’ failure to grasp the impact of the Muslim terrorist threat facing the free world, and explains that the wars of the future will breed frightful carnage.
His writing style is fluid, however, the author sometimes needs to return to his themes.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?): Yes, most definitely, although he does not directly state it per se, his overriding theme clearly delineates the issues of religious and racial tensions, and Islamic extremists dominate lists of terrorists and insurgents throughout the earth.
Most Westerners, particularly Americans, are disconnected from servicemembers and unwilling to learn from the mistakes of the past or to support what it takes to win wars, which leads to tragic and preventable failures.
Although terrorists repeatedly disdain peaceful coexistence and state their intent to inflict apocalyptic destruction upon the United States, too many Americans refuse to take the threat seriously enough, even when terrorists such as Usama bin Lāden threaten to use weapons of mass destruction (WMD) including nuclear weapons, when – not if – they acquire them.
Many professionals who receive a secular humanistic education that emphasizes cultural relativism cannot grasp how central religion is to a substantial majority of the world’s people, and religious wars are practically impossible to prevent and horribly bloody by their nature due to the emotions they generate. Once such wars begin, they are also almost impossible to end without catastrophic losses among the victims caught within the crossfire.
The world is on the brink of terrible wars and Americans may not survive unless people become aware of how serious the threat is and are willing to stand up to Muslim extremists. Peters is a visionary who dares to tell it like it is.
Highly recommended.
Robert Spencer. The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Islam (and the Crusades) (Politically Incorrect Guides). Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2005. ISBN-10: 0895260131.
1. Rating (out of five): Four [4].
2. Description: Recent revisionism casts the Crusades in skewed views, with the Ridley Scott film Kingdom of Heaven, starring Orlando Bloom, an excellent example of Hollywood recasting most Muslims into aggrieved victims suffering from brutal Crusaders. While audiences expect these stereotypes to oversimplify movies, people wishing to understand Muslim terrorists must first understand the origins of their hatred, as terrorists consistently use Crusader imagery to justify their crimes.
Spencer writes about the real Crusades, one of the greatest (if flawed) expressions of popular ideology in history. The movement played a crucial role in shaping the religious, political and economic development of Europe , and the Crusades began largely as Christian counterattacks to defend the church and especially innocent pilgrims from Muslim attacks, not the other way around, as revisionists commonly argue.
He also discusses women’s rights, which are the defining social issue of our times. The degrading status of women through much of the world, especially within Islamic states, stands in poor contrast to women’s gains across the West, most of which (contrary to popular perception) are as a result of the efforts of Christians through the centuries.
Political platitudes that Western leaders spout about purported Muslim strides toward joining the rest of the human race in the 21st century cannot hide how abysmally most Muslim men treat women in these countries.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This is an exceptionally easy read.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: Spencer covers his subject material extremely well, and quotes Muslims and Christians alike to explain these horrendous wars and their effects upon the people who fought them. He also destroys many Muslim fabrications and explores such crucial elements as Muslim subjugation of women and ‘honor’ killings.
The author even ranges quotes from the Bible and the Qur’an side-by-side to compare specific themes, though readers unfamiliar with Islam should tread lightly here, as Muslim fundamentalists generally teach that only those well-versed in ancient Arabic can fully grasp the intricacies of translating the Qur’an. In addition, Spencer occasionally allows his biases against Islam to run away with his writing.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?): Perhaps the best comment on how well he strikes home originates from a self-professed “bibliophile” on Amazon, who comments that this is a “Great book for sheeple of a right-wing bent.”
Disregarding the self-serving tripe about Christians or conservatives being an ill-informed pack of illiterate barbarians aside; a good indicator of how effective you are against those with whom you disagree is to gauge the passion of their reactions.
Highly recommended.
Daniel Benjamin and Steven Simon. The Next Attack The Failure of the War on Terror and a Strategy for Getting It Right. New York : An Owl Book, Henry Holt and Company, 2005. ISBN-10: 080508133X.
1. Rating (out of five): Five [5].
2. Description: Benjamin and Simon discuss the mistakes which Americans and our allies have made since 9/11, and their analysis of how to correct them – understandable given the broad subject – they also, however, delve into the heart of the problem with unusual clarity: the insidious threat that Islamic extremists pose to the free world.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This should be an easy read.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: The authors cover a variety of topics well in clear and concise writing, and they utilize a broad range of (almost exclusively secondary) sources.
They can sometimes stray off topics a bit, which is why the incomplete rating.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?): Benjamin and Simon know their topics and some examples should suffice to shake readers not familiar with the extent of the threat.
“When retreat followed retreat in Afghanistan ” confessed the Center for Islamic Study and Research, an al-Qāidah (al-Qa’ida or al-Qaeda; The Base) front website…”despair began to creep among many…and feelings of impending defeat and the end of the mujahadin [freedom fighters] there began to overtake them. During the course of these feelings, mutterings began here and there that the mujahadin had made a mistake in their calculation, and that they were taken by surprise by something they had not expected, and that they had been overhasty, and forced themselves into an unequal conflict.”
These feelings of doubt and inadequacy are common to Muslims down through the ages and imams began to seek historical precedents, such as the Muslim defeat at the Battle of Uhud, just a year after their victory at Badr, which they interpret as trials sent by Allah to test their faithful (22–23).
Due to the failure of the U.S. government to collect data on religious affiliations, exact numbers concerning how many Muslims live in the U.S. is not available. There can be anywhere from three to eight million, though most reliable estimates hover around two million adults and three million in total households. There are at least 1,300 mosques and 300 religious schools, though there may be more underground. These figures include perhaps half a million African American Muslims, however, South Asians comprise the largest growth since 1990.
Large numbers of earlier Muslim immigrants came from highly Westernized families such as Lebanese and Iranians, and they tend to have disproportionate percentages of professionals such as doctors and professors. Most Muslim Americans attain competitive educations and careers, and earn incomes placing them slightly above median household incomes in the country. These factors alone (partially) reduce the threat, as fewer of them sense the isolation and desperation that drives many Muslims overseas into terrorism. Nonetheless, there are those who perceive the disdain if not outright resentment of many Americans toward them, and their brooding upon the wrongs done to them–imagined or otherwise–enrages them (303).
Now compare the Western European experience. Most European Muslims immigrated into the continent after WWII, when they left their homelands in the wake of the break-ups of the great European empires in search of jobs. The vast majority of Europeans did not attempt to embrace these immigrants, who they expected to return to their countries after they completed working.
Some did but many stayed, and they tended to congregate into exclusive neighborhoods, where they became even more isolated from mainstream societies and suffer from ghettoization, crime, unemployment and lower incomes, and discrimination against equal access to education and services. This sense of isolation is one of the principal reasons why so many embrace terrorism.
Perhaps one out of ten terrorists who the coalition have killed or detained since 9/11 are converts into Islam from other faiths and backgrounds. Al-Qāidah recruits heavily among these people, which is no coincidence, as they can more readily infiltrate and assimilate into Western cultures due to similar appearances, dress and mannerisms–authorities are not as likely to pay close attention to people with lighter skins for example, and while controversies rage over racial profiling, the reality is that most terrorists are young Muslim men (300–301).
The numbers of terrorists of Western origins, many from affluent or well-educated backgrounds, is staggering, and runs into the thousands. Intelligence analysts expect to track terrorists from the Pakistani or Yemeni mountains, but encounter far too many from Londonistan, Paris or Hamburg .
Because so many terrorists originated during the past in predominately Muslim countries, such as the Saudi 9/11 hijackers, many Americans are not aware that the epicenter of the new ummah (the community of believers) from many Muslims’ perspectives is now Europe .
The higher degree of educational attainment, computer usage and literacy are strong indicators of the more elusive trend they are taking, though this can play into intelligence analysts hands by tracking web use and emails. Al-Qāidah emerged from the global Muslim diaspora and until Western analysts understand and focus on this shift, the Americans will fail.
Most of these European – a cautionary term as many Muslims living there do not consider themselves Europeans – Muslims watch their homelands continue to deteriorate into anarchy and poverty and lag behind the West with growing concern, though it is publicly unclear just how many take matters into their hands by joining the global jihād (holy war). They usually blame the West for their own failures to assimilate and for their homelands failures to develop democratic freedoms and wealth (83, 201).
The authors also address the issue of madrassas (religious schools that often teach fundamentalist Islam). Citing the Pakistanis as a clear example of how out of control they have become, some estimates claim that their numbers are rising from perhaps 137 following the partition after the British left in 1947, to several thousand during the height of the fighting against the Russians in Afghanistan in 1988, to as many as 10,000 in 2005.
The Pakistanis attempt to register and regulate them, but it is a massive project and corruption and Islamic extremism invalidates most attempts. Extremists siphon funds into the schools that further weaken public education, and forced Zubaida Jalal, the Pakistani minister of education, to denounce textbooks that do not contain the Qur’an’s injunction to wage jihād. They are teaching an entire generation of young men to hate.
All Americans and concerned people across the globe should read this book!
Highly Recommended.
Sandra Mackey. The Iranians Persia , Islam and the Soul of a Nation. New York : The Penguin Group (Plume), 1998. ISBN-10: 0452275636.
1. Rating (out of five): Three [3].
2. Description: Mackey provides a solid background of Iranian history and culture, arguably some of the most intriguing and important people in the world today, where Islamic extremism mars a precious and treasured (predominantly) Persian culture. In particular, she focuses upon key events defining relations between the current ayatollahs and mullahs and the West, especially Americans.
With the probability that the Iranians will gain WMD and use them against the Israelis or Americans, triggering a frightening holocaust, becoming more likely with each passing day, it is crucial for Westerners and especially Americans to learn all we can about the Iranians, and the dangerously unstable leaders who drive them to the brink.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This is an easy read, though at times, Mackey wanders.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: Mackey’s book is a fine introduction and should help people to gain greater knowledge of these extraordinary people. By necessity in a book of this size, she has to condense her narrative into somewhat simplistic themes.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?):
Elaborating on one phase of the Iranian revolution partially answers the point. Mackey notes that the mullahs, fueled by the fires of fanaticism, drove their followers to excesses.
They quashed street demonstrations and entered homes at will, without provocation or cause. No one was safe and by September 1981, as many as 50 victims a day went before firing squads. Others faced even more agonizing deaths as thugs beat and tortured them, hanging victims they finished with from scaffolds, bridges and once even from children’s playground swings. The revolutionaries also encouraged children to betray their parents.
The violence flared back and forth between rival factions. Armed with rocket propelled grenades, machine guns and even knives the mujahedin raided as much as 20 times a day, and families discovered victims blindfolded, manacled and shot in their heads. Bombings and horrendous murders became commonplace. For “waging war against God” as many as 1,800 people perished in the most hideous ways between June and November 1981 (305–307).
Meanwhile, the Iranians and their zeal spread like wildfire through the Middle East , especially among disenchanted youths in Shi ah communities in otherwise predominately Sunni nations.
Throwing around vast sums generated by petroleum revenues to finance their projects, the Pasdaran (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Engelab-e Eslami or Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, originally a volatile mix of thugs and militant students) opened camps in remote locations, where they taught terrorists the fundamentals of small arms, explosives, rocket propelled grenades and techniques of subversion and torture, with heavy curriculums of Islamic extremism. Their graduates became responsible for many assassinations and kidnappings across the region (310–11).
Recommended.
Kenneth M. Pollack. The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America . Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2005. ISBN-10: 0812973364.
1. Rating (out of five): Five [5].
2. Description: This is an excellent introduction to the background of how Americans and Iranians relate and to the current conflict between the two peoples. Pollack principally focuses upon current issues, such as reports of uranium enrichment and WMD, meaning primarily nuclear weapons, development.
Pollack worked as a Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA and as Director for Gulf affairs at the National Security Council official, and is renowned in the field.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This can be a somewhat difficult read for people not well-versed in the subject due to the author’s academic style and knowledge, however, it is a superlative source and one of the finest available.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: This is an outstanding addition to the literature available on the Iranians, and especially to their struggle with Americans. Pollack has a great deal to cover in a single text and he does it brilliantly.
His narrative is not for the faint of heart, however, and readers not familiar with Iranian culture, history, religion or politics should consider a book such as Mackay’s first.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?): Although the author readily explains how the dangerous mullahs threaten global peace, he does not stress either the influences of Islamic extremism nor the excesses of their rule from a theological perspective, however, his book is a valuable academic work for those who wish to delve deeper.
Highly recommended.
Kenneth M. Pollack. Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948–1991 (Studies in War, Society, and the Military). Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 2002. ISBN: 0-8032-3733-2.
1. Rating (out of five): Five [5].
2. Description: The author addresses the factors often cited for the poor performance of Arab armies, such as poor junior leadership, inferior equipment and lack of spirit.
Pollack breaks the old myths by providing all too rare detailed coverage of selected battles and wars of a number (not all) of Arab armies, documenting their successes and failures, and then analyzes why the Arabs fight so poorly.
His analysis should surprise, if not stun, many readers.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This can be a tough read for people without a military background (veterans, historians, analysts, etc.) due to Pollack’s breadth of knowledge, however, it is an exceptional book, one of the finest available on the subject.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: The author provides in depth and wonderfully detailed analysis of key battles from WWII through Gulf War I, with unmatched insight. It is one of the best on the topic, however, readers not versed in the Middle East will quickly become lost in the labyrinth of names and events.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?): Pollack does not discuss this topic beyond even the most cursory fashion, though this is understandable given his purpose – and he never intends to do so.
For readers who wish to learn more about Arab tactics and doctrine, this should be on everyone’s must read list.
Highly recommended.
H. John Poole. Militant Tricks Battlefield Ruses of the Islamic Insurgent. Emerald City, North Carolina : Posterity Press, 2005. ISBN-10: 0963869582.
1. Rating (out of five): Three [3].
2. Description: Poole illuminates Muslim tactics and weapons across their global jihād. He briefly discusses previous events such as Turkish tactics during WWI, as well as more recent fighting involving al-Qāidah, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians and some of the less known but terrifyingly dangerous Muslim terrorists, such as Chechens, whose sadistic cruelty is legendary among jihādis.
3. Ease of Reading (how easily can an adult without much background of the topics discussed read the book?): This is a thoroughly developed book with tremendous insight into terrorists and insurgents, however, it can be a tough read at times because of the writer’s style, which tends toward passive voice typical of officers (he is a marine.
Perceptive readers may also note that Poole is (apparently) also a Christian.
4. Strengths and Weaknesses: Poole pulls no punches and delves into details that most authors neglect. His book is timely and desperately needed by our servicemembers – this should be required reading for every officer.
A colleague commented that this book should be in every veteran’s rucksack or seabag.
The narrative wanders a bit, however, and contains many references that non-military readers may not recognize. In addition, although he approaches his discussion of Turkish tactics during WWI as educating Western readers unfamiliar with Eastern methods (which may very well be the case for most people), his revelations are anything but new for those who study WWI or Muslim methods.
His analysis of the Chechens is superb, however, and again, for those who study the fighting in Grozny or elsewhere, they may find few surprises, but this will appall those unaware of the threat.
5. The truth about Islamic extremists (does the author accurately evaluate Islam?): Yes, the author never directly addresses the threat, however, his awareness leaps off the pages for astute readers and his depth of knowledge and awareness of what is at stake for Judeo-Christian civilization and the free world is obvious.
He also emphasizes how the enemy’s chain of command provides an excellent example of disinformation. Without using the term he certainly understands the concept of al-Taqiyya, which is a combination of hiding or disguising one’s beliefs, convictions and feelings when facing imminent danger, dissembling oneself to survive and gain retribution against enemies. This justifies almost any deception or crime to enable the terrorist to gain surprise upon victims. For Muslim extremists, the end justifies the means.
Poole also explains that since al-Qāidah (seemingly) lacks a cohesive central structure the way that Western organizations operate, it is difficult to cut off the head of the snake. In addition, the stain of Saudi Wahhabi extremism is especially insidious and spreading its contagion rapidly among potential terrorists throughout the Islamic world.
This book is a breath of sanity that pierces the fog about Islamic extremists.
Recommended.
|
powered by