The Terror Years

From al-Qaeda to the Islamic State

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: John H. Mayer, Lawrence Wright

Ten powerful pieces first published in The New Yorker recall the path terror in the Middle East has taken from the rise of al-Qaeda in the 1990s to the recent beheadings of reporters and aid workers by ISIS.

With the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Looming Tower, Lawrence Wright became generally acknowledged as one of our major journalists writing on terrorism in the Middle East. This collection draws on several articles he wrote while researching that book, as well as many that he's written since, following where and how al-Qaeda and its core cult-like beliefs have morphed and spread. They include an indelible impression of Saudi Arabia, a kingdom of silence under the control of the religious police; the Syrian film industry, then compliant at the edges but already exuding a feeling of the barely masked fury that erupted into civil war; and the 2006-11 Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza, a study in disparate values of human lives. Others continue to look into al-Qaeda as it forms a master plan for its future, experiences a rebellion from within the organization, and spins off a growing web of terror in the world. The American response is covered in profiles of two FBI agents and a chief of the CIA. It ends with the recent devastating piece about the capture and beheading by ISIS of four American journalists and aid workers, and how our government failed to handle the situation.

©2016 Lawrence Wright (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Wright displays his top-notch reporting in stories about a disintegrating Syria, the never-ending conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, the faith-based beliefs that undergird al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, and the massive failures of American intelligence agencies. Yet more great work from a dedicated journalist." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Factual, but soft

Prior to this book, I listened to "Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS". I found both books to be similar in that they both distill a lot of information into a well put together linear narrative. They both seem very well researched, well written, and very informative. However, where I found them to be different was that this author seemed to have written in the style that came across as attempting to be somewhat persuasive. And books like this I always prefer an informative, neutral account I have no problem with his humanizing Siri and civilians, but found some of his word choices to be a bit soft in regards to the scribing accounts of terrorist activities, Terrorists themselves, and Fidel Castro in the epilogue.

Compelling book that skips analysis for narratives

I did enjoy the book, but it wasn't what I was looking for. The first 5 chapters are abridged histories of the principals, be they a group or individual, that held pivotal roles up to 9/11 attacks. Then the book shifts to in depth descriptions of geopolitics and providing additional details on select stories that support the previously described layout.

I was looking for more analysis and details on the completed operations of ISIL and the impact in the region and counterterrorism. I guess I will look elsewhere.

All was well but in prologue was bad

Overall okay and well researched but you can see the prejudice coming out in few places

Not the Looming Tower but stands it's ground

Lawrence Wright is brilliant as always. The only consciencious I could have a conversation with.

cia did not create the internet.

lotts of good information. Historical perspective is much appreciated. A few mistakes i think but overall a very informative book.

Terrorism can be understood.

A fearsome education becomes reality as we learn the A - Z'S of fear mongering on the world stage.

Subject Matter Expert

The Author conveys a phenomenal wealth of knowledge both though, first hand experience and Indepth reporting. His centrist point of view lends great authority to the subjects at hand as he at times appears sympathetic with both causes while being equally critical to them. This is a great book for all interested in Middle East foreign relations.

Still great, but not quite Looming Tower

Would you listen to The Terror Years again? Why?

Maybe, if I have questions regarding the subject matter and I want to review.

What did you like best about this story?

Incredibly well researched, nobody does their homework better than Wright.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the surviving hostages explained their experiences and how they felt about the people who were left behind and eventually killed.

Any additional comments?

I was hoping for more information regarding the founders of ISIS similar to what Wright did with Looming Tower.

Reporters experiences

There's were parts of this book I enjoyed more than others. I thought it would be more historical, which it is, but it's more stretches of the authors personal experience mixed in with stretches of pure nonfiction, historical record. Some useful information to take away and learn about the region, but it bounced around a bit as a result.

Great Book!

Very informative book outlining different aspects of the War on Terror. Easy to listen to!