United States of Jihad

March 1, 2016

In the wake of the December 2015 attack in San Bernardino, CA, this book could not be timelier. Journalist and CNN national security analyst Bergen (Manhunt) here calmly and lucidly examines the diverse stories of the more than 300 people in the United States who have been charged with jihadist terrorist crimes since September 11, 2001. His nuanced insights, couched within a series of gripping narratives, offer readers a solid foundation to knowledgeably face the barrage of political opinions being flung about by many Americans this election year. While covering the violence at Fort Hood, TX, Little Rock, AR, and Boston in great depth, Bergen also looks at numerous foiled or failed attacks. In addition, he discusses several broader themes including lone-wolf attacks, the role of the Internet and social media, the U.S. Muslim community, and Americans traveling abroad to places such as Syria for jihadist training. Throughout the narrative, Bergen provides a balanced assessment of terrorist prevention tactics such as surveillance, informants, and drone strikes on American citizens abroad. VERDICT Highly recommended for all readers seeking an informed view of current events. [See Prepub Alert, 10/26/15.]--Brian Sullivan, Alfred Univ. Lib., NY

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2016
Not so many years ago, Americans viewed terrorism as something that happened elsewhere on the crowded streets of a Middle Eastern city, perhaps, or in an isolated Third World village. But as daily headlines in our own newspapers in cities large and small attest, the U.S. is fomenting its own brand of radicalization that targets perceived sources of injustice right here at home, while fostering dissension that lures the zealous into battlegrounds abroad. What makes a person susceptible to the rhetoric of jihad? Are government agencies capable of recognizing and preventing such acts of insurrection? As the national security analyst for CNN, Bergen has been at the forefront of reporting on terrorism for more than 20 years. In this innovative and illuminating work, soon to be supported by a companion HBO documentary, Bergen explores nearly every aspect of terrorist activity, from ISIS' use of social media to the FBI's development of behavioral profiles that identify potential terror activists. Both balanced and galvanizing, Bergen's meticulous portrait of violent extremism is required reading for anyone who truly wants to understand the nature of the evolving threats from within and without.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)