
United States of Jihad
Investigating America's Homegrown Terrorists
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Narrated by:
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Nicholas Guy Smith
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By:
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Peter Bergen
About this listen
A riveting, panoramic look at "homegrown" Islamist terrorism from 9/11 to the present.
Since 9/11, more than 300 Americans - born and raised in Minnesota, Alabama, New Jersey, and elsewhere - have been indicted or convicted of terrorism charges. Some have taken the fight abroad: An American was among those who planned the attacks in Mumbai, and more than 80 US citizens have been charged with ISIS-related crimes. Others have acted on American soil, as with the attacks at Fort Hood, at the Boston Marathon, and in San Bernardino. What motivates them, how are they trained, and what do we sacrifice in our efforts to track them?
Paced like a detective story, United States of Jihad tells the entwined stories of the key actors on the American front. Among the perpetrators are Anwar al-Awlaki, the New Mexico-born radical cleric who became the first American citizen killed by a CIA drone and who mentored the Charlie Hebdo shooters; Samir Khan, whose Inspire webzine has rallied terrorists around the world, including the Tsarnaev brothers; and Omar Hammami, an Alabama native and hip-hop fan who became a fixture in al Shabaab's propaganda videos until fatally displeasing his superiors.
Drawing on his extensive network of intelligence contacts, from the National Counterterrorism Center and the FBI to the NYPD, Peter Bergen also offers an inside look at the controversial tactics of the agencies tracking potential terrorists, from infiltrating mosques to massive surveillance; at the bias experienced by innocent observant Muslims at the hands of law enforcement; at the critics and defenders of US policies on terrorism; and at how social media has revolutionized terrorism.
Lucid and rigorously researched, United States of Jihad is an essential new analysis of the Americans who have embraced militant Islam both here and abroad.
©2016 Peter Bergen (P)2016 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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- Steven Harper
- 04-24-16
excellent book
this read is fantastic and everyone should either read it listen to it. probably more then once.
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- Kenneth
- 08-23-16
Counter terror must read
must read for military and law enforcement CT personnel. especially anyone with a domestic CT mission.
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- Joshua M Cochin
- 12-15-16
A fascinating and balanced look at a contentious topic
This is a well crafted and well researched book which refrains from both fear mongering and belittling the challenges posed by Islamic fundamentalism.
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- Lisa Callihan
- 02-21-16
More than 30 second soundbites
Interesting overview of current events. I enjoy the commentary of the author in television interviews and find his writing bright and insightful.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Robert
- 11-22-17
good overview
A good brief overview of the growing trend of self radicalization. There are some great little facts thrown in that really add to the book.
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- Peter
- 02-06-16
More multi-culty dreck
What would have made United States of Jihad better?
Not opening with the absurd equivalence of a murdered abortion doctor to ISIS's predations.
Would you ever listen to anything by Peter Bergen again?
Doubtful
What three words best describe Nicholas Guy Smith’s voice?
Clear, fine speaker.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
disappointment
Any additional comments?
I'll be returning this one.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Eugene
- 07-13-16
Very informative faulty conclusions
The book was well researched and lengthy. However, it barely scratches the surface of the issues it addresses. The author seems to dismiss or minimize real threats treating them on the par with civil disobedience. Embarrassingly compares Britain's stats with the U.S. Ignoring the sharia assumption of control in certain areas of England and is fixated on liberal talking points especially in his conclusions.
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- Dino n Tammi Sweeney
- 12-05-22
hard to understand narrator.
hard to understand narrator. idk if book was good or not because i couldn’t follow what the narrator was saying.
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