Jason Burke Books

A daring reporter's quest through the "living history" of Islam amid the War on Terrorism. In 1991, a British university student spent his summer break fighting alongside Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq. Now a prize-winning reporter and author of a book on al Qaeda, Jason Burke travels from the Sahara to the Himalayas and meets with refugees, mujahideen, and government ministers in a probing search to understand Islam, and Islamic radicalism, in the context of the "War on Terrorism." Praised by London's Daily Mail as "intensely personal and accessible," this is the gripping story of a search for answers to some of the most urgent questions of our What drives Islamic fundamentalism, and how should the West respond? Are we so fundamentally different that we can't coexist? Although much of his book concerns war and violence, Burke reaches the optimistic conclusion that extremist violence alienates its populations and so is doomed fail and wither away.

Set in the 1970s, the narrative explores a group of radical extremists who instigated fear through plane hijackings and hostage situations. Key figures include the striking Leila Khaled, known for her grenade ring jewelry, and the notorious Carlos the Jackal, whose flamboyant style matched his ruthless tactics. The Baader-Meinhof Gang also plays a significant role, as these groups aimed to liberate Palestinians and challenge Western imperialism with their dramatic and violent actions, captivating global audiences and putting governments under pressure.

Throughout the 1990s a vast conflict was brewing. The storm broke on September 11th 2001. Since then much of the world has seen invasions, bombings, battles and riots. Hundreds of thousands of people have died. These are the 9/11 Wars. Jason Burke, a first-hand witness of many of the conflict's key moments, has written the definitive account of its course. At once investigation, reportage and contemporary history, The 9/11 Wars is based on hundreds of interviews with participants including desperate refugees and senior intelligence officials, ministers and foot-soldiers, active militants and their victims. Burke cuts through the myth and propaganda of all sides to reveal the reality behind well-known - and lesser-known episodes. Events are given a pattern and relationship previously missing; so too are critical issues facing the world today- the tensions between local identities and globalization, the rising forces of Islamism and nationalism, the attraction of extremism and violence for some. Whether reporting on the riots in France or the attack on Mumbai, suicide bombers in Iraq or British troops fighting in Helmand, Jason Burke has written an essential book for understanding the twenty-first century.

Published in 2015, this book has a notable history, originating from Great Britain and later released in the United States. It reflects a blend of cultural insights and perspectives, showcasing the author's unique narrative style. The publication by reputable presses indicates its significance in contemporary literature, appealing to readers interested in thought-provoking themes and engaging storytelling.

From Syria to Somalia, from Libya to Indonesia, from Yemen to the capitals of Europe, Islamic militancy appears stronger, more widespread and more threatening than ever. ISIS and groups such as Boko Haram, together command significant military power, rule millions and control extensive territories. This is a guide to Islamic militancy today.

To most in the West, 'al-Qaeda' is seen as a byword for terror: a deadly, highly organised fanatical group masterminded by Osama bin Laden. But does this tell the whole truth? Prize-winning journalist Jason Burke has spent a decade reporting from the heart of the Middle East and gaining unprecedented access to the world of radical Islam. Now, drawing on his frontline experience of recent events in Iraq and Afghanistan, on secret documents and astonishing interviews with intelligence officers, militants, mujahideen commanders and bin Laden's associates, he reveals the full story of al-Qaeda - and demolishes the myths that underpin the 'war on terror'. Burke demonstrates that in fact 'al-Qaeda' is merely a convenient label applied by the West to a far broader - and thus more dangerous - phenomenon of Islamic militancy, and shows how eradicating a single figure or group will do nothing to combat terrorism. Only by understanding the true, complex nature of al-Qaeda, he argues, can we address the real issues surrounding our security today.

From one of the world’s leading experts in modern Islamic militancy comes an intellectual and personal voyage through the Islamic world, the Muslim faith, and its perception throughout the world. A brilliant, fearless journalist who knows huge areas of the Islamic world intimately, Jason Burke now turns to the wider question of how we are to get to grips with radical Islam and what it really means. Burke has travelled all over the great arc of Islamic land, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. In describing this journey, On the Road to Kandahar shows how various and completely unmonolithic Islam really is and how the sort of standard Western generalizations about it are both stupid and dangerous. Burke has met berbers in the Atlas mountains, Palestinian politicians, and hardline Taliban mullahs, and has examined how the actions of an extreme minority have exploited Islam, provoking fear and terror. And he explains how and why Western prejudices and stereotypes have evolved for what is actually a diverse cultural and historical heritage – and what the future holds. From the Hardcover edition.