- Number Of Pages: 352 Pages
- Genre Of Book: Biography
- Published On: 27 October 2009
“I knew that my father was not a normal man. He was not like other fathers, nor did he treat us as children but as soldiers.”
This book stayed quite a while on my TBR (To Be Read) list. A couple of months ago, I watched one of the Netflix series “Spy.” The drama tells the astonishing true story of Israel’s most prominent spy, Eli Cohen, who infiltrated the Syrian government in the 1960s. But what captivated my mind was that one small appearance of a 10-year-old innocent kid, accompanying his industrialist dad for one of the high-ranking Syrian government deals. That 10-year-old innocent kid was none other than notorious figure Osama bin Laden. The name everyone heard, but definitely not for good reasons. The son of richest Saudi Arabian industrialist Mohammad Bin Laden. The man himself celebrated as a “war hero” in his own country, Saudi Arabia.The man who not only supplied all the essentials and funds in the Soviet-Afghan war but also gave his blood and sweat to fight it from front lines along with Afghani soldiers. The intrigue thought consumed me badly and dragged me towards learning the events that caused the son of the richest industrialist to choose the path of violent Jihad. The path that converted him into the monster. That monster who did not even hesitate a bit before brutally snatching more than 2900 innocent lives. What could be the turning point that inspired a graduate of economics and management become the most wanted terrorist and led him to walk on a path that destroyed more than 10,000 families.
The book “Growing up Bin Laden” by Jean Sasson came from the mouth of a horse ,from Osama Bin Laden’s own family. The story uncovers startling revelations and hidden secrets carefully guarded by the most wanted terrorist of our lifetime. The shattering events are narrated by his first wife, Najwa, and his fourth son, Omar. His first wife, who was not only his first cousin but someone who deeply fell in love with the man ,the man, this world hated wholeheartedly. Together, mother and son tell the extraordinary, powerful story of a man, who was nothing more than devil for everyone, yet both loved and feared by his family. His wife, being faithful and obedient, has not shared much insight from her family life. However, the information she and her son disclosed definitely does not depict Osama bin Laden as a good person. Instead, he is shown as the cruelest human being on earth, who had the sheer courage to encourage his own kids to nominate themselves as a “suicide bomber.” His cruelty preferred to victimize his young children’s to American bombing rather than melting that father’s heart, allowing them to travel with their mom to the safest place.
It is a wonderful 397-page read. Really a great book, written in the most dramatic and lucid way. I couldn’t put it down until I finished almost 18-20 hours of reading over the weekend.
I would like to wrap up my review at what Jean Sasson put at the end of the book.
“To discourage future dark moments,I believe we must nourish the minds of our young with learning that creates understanding between ethnic and religious groups…..I sincerely believe that nothing will further the cause of peace more than the education of young….May all roads lead to peace.”
Jean Sasson is an American author and journalist known for her works that shed light on the lives of women in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Born on January 21, 1951, in Easton, Pennsylvania, Sasson has spent considerable time in the Middle East, which has profoundly influenced her writing.
Her most notable work, “Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia,” was published in 1992 and is based on the life of a Saudi princess, Sultana, whom she befriended. The book gained international attention for its candid depiction of the challenges and restrictions faced by women in Saudi society.
Sasson has authored several other books, including “Daughters of Arabia,” “The Rape of Kuwait,” and “Growing Up Bin Laden,” among others. Her writings often focus on themes of women’s rights, cultural practices, and the complexities of life in conservative societies.
Sasson not only contributes through her writing. She is also a public speaker and advocate for women’s rights. She uses her platform to raise awareness about the struggles faced by women in the Arab world. Her work has been translated into multiple languages. It has contributed to a broader understanding of Middle Eastern cultures and issues.
From My Gallery
Other Books from Author
Leave a reply to Growing up Bin Laden by Jean Sasson Book Review – Euphoric Reads Cancel reply