Osama Bin Laden

Children's Literature

This title, one of the "History's Villains" series, might be more appropriate under "Current Villains." Some of the sources are so recent the supporting facts may not hold up over time. Is every international bombing over the last fifteen years really the work of al-Qaeda, as this book indicates? However, the personal history and background of one of America's most wanted is clearly conveyed in this biography. An early interest in religious devotion and the desire to impress his father laid the foundation for bin Laden's later fundamentalism. The role of other anti-American Muslim leaders and their influence on bin Laden is explained. Sidebars cover subjects such as the Persian Gulf War and the roots of the Arab/Israeli conflict; although one page on Islam seems less than sufficient. The description of events leading to the current state of affairs in the Middle East neglects important facts, such as the role of the United States in the war between Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. There are standard black and white photos throughout; a timeline, glossary and related books and websites are appended. 2004, Blackbirch Press/Gale Group, Ages 12 to 14.
—Mary Loftus

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Drawing from an array of print and Internet sources, Loehfelm traces his subject's early life and radicalization and the rise of his public influence on a susceptible minority of Muslims. Bin Laden's ability to inspire fanatical loyalty in his followers is the theme here, and few readers are likely to sleep easily in the wake of the author's blanket claim that al-Qaeda is an organization whose "members, of which there are thousands, will readily and enthusiastically lay down their lives for him." Loehfelm also baldly states that bin Laden "masterminded" and "orchestrated" the September 11th attacks, though the publicly released evidence for that is, so far, indirect or after the fact. Still, despite drab black-and-white photos, several of which are semi-relevant at best, this book is a coherent study of bin Laden's career, methods, and stated beliefs. Readers wishing to study the Muslim world's historical background, or to stay current on the war against terrorism, will find helpful citations in the appended notes and reading lists.-John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.