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The Looming Tower

Lawrence Wright

HistoryPolitics & Society
Publish date
2006
Publisher
Penguin Books, Limited
Description
Lawrence Wright’s *The Looming Tower* traces the historical events and ideological origins leading up to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The book examines the growth of Al-Qaeda alongside key figures such as Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. It also details the counterterrorism efforts and institutional rivalries between the FBI and the CIA preceding the attacks.
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Books cited in The Looming Tower

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  1. Ghost Wars

    Steve Coll

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    Foundational historical account of CIA covert actions and extremist networks in Afghanistan prior to 9/11.

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  2. Taliban

    Ahmed Rashid

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    Authoritative study of the Taliban movement and its symbiotic relationship with Osama bin Laden.

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  3. Knights Under the Prophet's Banner

    Ayman al-Zawahiri

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    Zawahiri's strategic memoir outlining the worldview, evolution, and future trajectory of Egyptian Islamic Jihad.

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  4. Defense of the Muslim Lands

    Abdullah Azzam

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    Influential religious ruling establishing global jihad as an individual duty, inspiring early Afghan Arab volunteers.

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  5. Milestones

    Sayyid Qutb

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    Formative ideological tract that shaped modern Islamic fundamentalism and deeply influenced Ayman al-Zawahiri.

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  6. Through Our Enemies' Eyes

    Michael Scheuer

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    Detailed profile of bin Laden's motivations written by the former head of the CIA's Bin Laden Issue Station.

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  7. Holy War, Inc.

    Peter Bergen

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    Early investigative account of al-Qaeda's financial and organizational network based on personal interviews.

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  8. Against All Enemies

    Richard A. Clarke

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    Inside account of U.S. government counterterrorism policy failures leading up to the September 11 attacks.

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  9. The Age of Sacred Terror

    Daniel Benjamin and Steven Simon

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    Comprehensive analysis of the rise of modern religiously motivated terrorism and federal counterterrorism policy.

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  10. Al-Qaeda: Casting a Shadow of Terror

    Jason Burke

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    Skeptical reexamination arguing al-Qaeda functioned more as an ideology and network than a rigid hierarchy.

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  11. Inside Al Qaeda

    Rohan Gunaratna

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    Global operational analysis of al-Qaeda's organizational structure, training infrastructure, and international operational cells.

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  12. Social Justice in Islam

    Sayyid Qutb

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    Earlier theological treatise outlining Qutb's critique of Western materialism and modern secular Muslim societies.

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There may be more citations. We show up to 12 per book to keep the list manageable.

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