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mscarlymb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.75
maryannsophia's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, Violence, and War
bethadele's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting.
A decent read. At times compelling, but since I was reading an unproved Galley on my kindle, the formatting was a bit screwed up and that made parts of it difficult to follow. Having said that. I can see how this book will engage certain readers.
A decent read. At times compelling, but since I was reading an unproved Galley on my kindle, the formatting was a bit screwed up and that made parts of it difficult to follow. Having said that. I can see how this book will engage certain readers.
tomadavis53's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fascinating look into Al Qaeda, by an insider at a very high level of the organization. Well narrated.
I'd give 4 1/2 stars, if possible.
I'd give 4 1/2 stars, if possible.
mapetiteliseuse's review against another edition
3.0
I guess a lot of people reviewing and reading this book will focus on the credibility angle. Im not going to, or we will be here all day. As an intelligent consumer of information I am always aware of the validity of information I take in.
So, this is a good book. Its not a great story or an amazing work of revelation. But its a great insight into the ascension (descent!) of people from religious commitment to extremism. It isnt racist, fascist or defamatory. But it confidently documents how someone can fall into the life of terrorism - something hard to imagine, regardless of the terror cause .
Morten's story has the added element of his relationships with intelligence agencies-their treatment of him as documented in the book is pretty frustrating.
You follow the story of Morten converting to Islam, falling in with extremists and then turning spy. Its a shame that his feelings about his religion during and after aren't discussed, because one of my favourite parts was hearing about his journey into Islam and how it changed his life for the better.
Its easy to think of terrorists as enormous lavish organisations, but this books describes how a massive amount of damage can evolve from back yard plans.
So, this is a good book. Its not a great story or an amazing work of revelation. But its a great insight into the ascension (descent!) of people from religious commitment to extremism. It isnt racist, fascist or defamatory. But it confidently documents how someone can fall into the life of terrorism - something hard to imagine, regardless of the terror cause .
Morten's story has the added element of his relationships with intelligence agencies-their treatment of him as documented in the book is pretty frustrating.
You follow the story of Morten converting to Islam, falling in with extremists and then turning spy. Its a shame that his feelings about his religion during and after aren't discussed, because one of my favourite parts was hearing about his journey into Islam and how it changed his life for the better.
Its easy to think of terrorists as enormous lavish organisations, but this books describes how a massive amount of damage can evolve from back yard plans.
rharris9585's review against another edition
3.0
I am terrible liar, it's written all over my face and this book illustrated to me why I would make a rubbish double agent if I ever fancy a career change.
So many obscure Yemeni village names, middle-eastern names, terrorist groups, deceptions, that it was truly difficult to keep a track of who was who, who was a member of which group, who was working for who, who was lying to who, who was travelling where, etc.
Nonetheless, a truly incredible achievement with photographic proof to back up Morten Storm's story.
If nothing else, fair play to him for still being alive after all that he has gone through.
So many obscure Yemeni village names, middle-eastern names, terrorist groups, deceptions, that it was truly difficult to keep a track of who was who, who was a member of which group, who was working for who, who was lying to who, who was travelling where, etc.
Nonetheless, a truly incredible achievement with photographic proof to back up Morten Storm's story.
If nothing else, fair play to him for still being alive after all that he has gone through.