Ever since the terrorist attack in the United States on September 11,
2001, people have seen and heard the name bin
Laden in the media. As
one of the founders of Al Qaeda, he is readily identified as one of the
leader of a group seemingly intent on harming the United States as much
as possible.For readers puzzled about bin Laden himself, this
book by Adam Robinson answers many questions about him and his beliefs.
Traveling to a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia Bahrain,
Oman, Libya, Lebanon, and Pakistan, to gather information on bin
Laden’s activities, presents a biography of his subject which is
thoroughly researched and comprehensive in nature.He shows, for
example, how bin Laden grew up as a member of a wealthy Saudi family.
In his early years, he indulge himself with worldly pleasures.
Initially, it might be puzzling to some, reconciling that image of bin
Laden with that of the zealot he
projects through the
world’s media
today.However, as Vise demonstrates, his experiences in
Afghanistan, fighting against the Soviets served as a catalyst to bring
about a transformation in him and his outlook on life. And even though
he works hard at presenting himself a certain way to the world at
large, Vise argues that there still are basic contradictions evident in
his behavioral patterns.Piercing through the skillfully
manipulated images of himself that bin Laden projects to the world,
Vise offers a telling, more accurate portrait of who he is.