Jason Burke, Peter Bergen or any other recommendation

[peter28]

I cut my reading on Lebanon short and moved over to salafism, al qaeda, etc. Currently Im reading Sageman 'understanding terror networks' and I must say that in a short 180 pages or so, it is the by far the most detailed and empircally oriented account of the 'global salafi jihad' I have ever come across. enlightening nonetheless.

Ill finish it in a day or two, and Im looking to get 'al qaeda' by burke or 'holy war, inc.' by peter bergen. A friend discouraged gunaratna's 'inside al qaeda' or whatever its called. Ill probably have enough time to read two different accounts. any recommendations/thoughts?

Thanks
pete

[Jedburgh]

One you didn't mention, but I recommend very highly, is Ghost Wars (http://middleeastinfo.net/article4618.html), by Steve Coll.

If you're only going to read one of the two you mentioned, I'd go with Burke's book. Holy War, Inc. is a good read, but if you're familiar with the subject matter, you'll be shocked at the few basic facts Bergen gets totally wrong - which shakes his credibility a bit for the rest of it.

[peter28]

Jedburgh,

thanks for your input, I think Ill end up picking up burke this week. I read ghost wars and yes I thought it was a pretty good narrative of the afghan/soviet/american/alqaeda etc development.

Thanks
pete

btw, Im not really well researched in al qaeda aside from a few basic readings, is there anything in particular i should look out for in bergen's book?

[Jedburgh]

Personally, I don't believe in giving people guidance in what to look for in a book - I feel it skews the reading experience by establishing a narrow focus detracting from whatever else may be of value in the book. Read it and make your own judgements.

By the way, if you're looking specifically for reading material on Al-Qa'ida, I suggest you find a library with a good periodicals section and hunt down Jane's Intelligence Review. Over the last few years, they've had some excellent, insightful articles looking at the organization from various perspectives.