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mmboo's review
5.0
This is a great book! Written by one of, if not the main, FBI interrogator of the al-Qaeda operatives, it tells the story of the FBI's following of the al-Qaeda network from the 1990's until present day. The author was born in Lebanon but moved with his family to the US when he was a child. By chance he ended up joining the FBI. Being fluent in Arabic and with an interest in the history of the Middle East and the Muslim faith, he made a hobby of following the events in that part of the world, specifically al-Qaeda. In the FBI this became his focus, first with the investigation of the USS Cole bombing in Yemen. He describes the details of the investigations and how he was able to get captured operatives to cooperate through his knowledge of them individually as well as al-Qaeda and the Muslim faith. He discusses the information that was ignored by the CIA that could have prevented 9/11. He also discusses the use of EITs by the CIA and who directed their use as well as the opposition by the FBI and many in the CIA to the use of these techniques.
I would also recommend viewing the interview with the author by Charlie Rose on PBS as well as the Frontline show "The Investigator".
I would also recommend viewing the interview with the author by Charlie Rose on PBS as well as the Frontline show "The Investigator".
theseventhl's review
5.0
One of the best books about Al-Qaeda and the FBI's investigation of them post-9/11 and onward that I've ever read. Ali H. Soufan's story is an essential one for anyone who wants to understand how we could have prevented such a tragedy in 2001; it is also a startling portrait of multi-level incompetence in the U.S. intelligence agency. You'll also read about John O'Neill, Soufan's mentor and best friend, who saw Al-Qaeda's attack on U.S. coming but whose warnings were dutifully ignored by his superiors and who was unfortunately one of the many American victims of 9/11 in the Twin Towers. I can only hope that the redactions in the text will be overturned by the courts as Soufan fights the censorship of his book by the U.S. government; this information is so essential to the public.
zazen's review
3.0
Lots of great information here unfortunately marred by a couple things, the first being the CIA redacts. Some sections were impossible to read,and led to some hilariously ridiculous lines like "[58 words redacted] It worked. [12 words redacted]." These aren't Soufan's fault of course, and hopefully, eventually, we'll have a complete version of The Black Banners. The other fault was the way Soufan told his story. For me personally, I didn't care for his recreating certain conversations or adding in events that were irrelevant. He also never criticizes himself, and often brings up how he was one of the few guys who knew what was going on, almost an FBI paragon or something. It honestly made me more suspicious than anything.
Still, there's a lot in the book that's worth reading, and if the subject is one you're interested in, check it out.
Still, there's a lot in the book that's worth reading, and if the subject is one you're interested in, check it out.
taylorcali's review
4.0
Finally, some “new” (to me) information regarding AQ and the attacks they carried out over the years. I’ve read many books on 9/11, OBL, and AQ, and for the most part, they’re all just the same recycled information. This book, however, gives an insider’s story on the FBI’s investigation of the Kenya bombings, the USS Cole bombing, and, of course, 9/11. The author being Muslim and from Lebanon served him well in his career with the FBI. The only thing that really bothered me about this book was the amount of redacted information. If this was for effect, great, the blacked out pages did their job creating the “classified” appearance. But so much of what appeared redacted in a number of chapters were the pronouns I, me, and my. At that point, I felt like my brain was filling in the blanks to match the verbs.
eldiente's review
3.0
This audiobook was difficult at times to follow given the large number of redactions ordered, according to the author, by the CIA. The occasional name or place being redacted wasn't so much of a problem, but when a larger section was missing, the audio version left me wondering - a sentence, a paragraph, or much more.
I left angry at the folly of politicians (Barbara Bodine - former ambassador to Yemen) and stupidity and arrogance of some military leaders (General Miller - Abu Grahb prison ). But I was impressed with the tenacity and intelligence of investigators devoted to justice.
The book could have been shorter, but was interesting.
I left angry at the folly of politicians (Barbara Bodine - former ambassador to Yemen) and stupidity and arrogance of some military leaders (General Miller - Abu Grahb prison ). But I was impressed with the tenacity and intelligence of investigators devoted to justice.
The book could have been shorter, but was interesting.