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[quote=Anonymous]I thought The Looming Tower (by Lawrence Wright) was terrific.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Looming-Tower-Al-Qaeda-Road/dp/1400030846/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386558552&sr=8-1&keywords=looming+tower

It tells the story of the long road to 9/11, including Bin Laden's history and the birth and growth of Al Queda and that strain of extremism (including references to conflicts and evolutions of thought in various countries that hosted or influenced OBL along the way.)

Even though we know the tragic end of the 9/11 story, this book is somehow an incredibly compelling and suspenseful read.  Pretty much the opposite of dry, boring non-fiction.  Total credit to the author -- he's a journalist and he really knows how to weave the research together to tell a compelling story.  If only it weren't so tragic.  TOUGH to read in places knowing how it ends, but very educational.

That said, it's no longer current.  I'd love some recommendations about more recent events in the Middle East.  I think The New Yorker (magazine) has had some good coverage of Syria in particular.  Anyone have other links or recommendations to share?[/quote]

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