From Booklist In 1974, at the age of 15, Najwa married her first cousin, 17-year-old Osama bin Laden. She had grown up in a conservative Muslim household; he was one of the wealthy, powerful bin Ladens. She recalls a young husband drawn away on business and her life of seclusion and duty, giving birth to seven sons and four daughters, accepting other wives and children into the family and its itinerant homes. Omar, the fourth child of Osama and Najwa, recalls a severely strict father: no toys, no ventilators for boys who suffered from asthma, hikes in the desert with no water. Omar remembers accompanying his father to a training camp at 15 and their later confrontations—and eventual break—as he began to understand his father’s involvement in al-Qaeda. He also recalls conflicting emotions, including love and pride in his father and eventually shame for his father’s renown as a terrorist and architect of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. A compelling look at the intimate family life of a notorious man, as told by his wife and son. --Vanessa Bush Read more About the Author JEAN SASSON, a New York Times bestselling author, lived in the Middle East for 12 years and has traveled extensively in the area for 30 years. She lives in the Southern USA.NAJWA BIN LADEN, who married her cousin Osama bin Laden at the age of 15, is his first wife and the mother to seven of his sons and four of his daughters. She currently lives with three of her eleven children in the Middle East.OMAR BIN LADEN, the fourth son of Osama bin Laden, has publicly called for his father to "change his ways." Both Omar and his mother left Afghanistan before September 11, 2001, and neither has been in contact with Osama bin Laden since. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
C**G
AN INSIGHTFUL BOOK!
We all knew,for the most part,what kind of man Bin Laden was. But Through reading this book, I have learned about his beginnings,and what drove him to his eventual determined destruction of the western world.Narrated by his first Wife,who was also his first cousin,and one of their sons,they talk about him as they percieved him.His first wife,who was very much in love with him when they married,eventually saw him for what he was,as did his son.He eventually took four more wives.A few left him eventually.This is a man who came from great wealth at an early age,and wound up with nothing. Toward the end of his life, they were without a country or a home,often living in caves high up in the mountains with no running water or electricity.I really felt sorry for the children,who got little or no fatherly attention from Bin Laden.The son he wanted to groom for terrorism,wanted nothing to do with it. He seemed like a gentle soul who just didn't fit in with his father's plans. This is a wonderful book that delves into Bin Laden's personality,his hatred,and his personal life,as told by his family members.If you are looking for a really good book about his life,get this one.
T**V
Surprisingly Entertaining
What a surprise! Reminded me a bit of Paul Theroux's "Mosquito Coast" because it's about a fanatical father dragging his family from a comfortable life to an austere and dangerous place. But this isn't fiction. The perspective of the son and wife are sociologically and psychologically fascinating. Some parts were almost funny, like the ADHD brother accidentally pulling a grenade pin while the family was on a private jet, or Bin-Ladin insisting that the air conditioning be shut off to live like the prophet although he still got to hypocritically drive sports cars. I highly recommend this book.
A**R
More than I expected.
I thought it might be interesting to read about OBL told in the words of his wife and son. Why would I want or need to know about this evil terrorist? I'm not really sure except that I was curious as to what could lead a man to be so evil and yet have a large family so important to him. What is his background? And not only was I curious about OBL but also about the women he married and his children. How did they see their husband/father? I did enjoy the book. I was going to give it a 4 rating but I thoroughly enjoyed the additional information at the end, the updates on family members, etc. Very interesting, an added bonus.
L**A
Worth the Read
The book was interesting, more than I anticipated. Maybe it was the only way we will ever learn the true Osama bin Laden. It as a big eye opener into a Muslim life. A true history lesson. I had trouble putting this book down.
M**N
Fabulous! A private glance into a world most of ...
Fabulous! A private glance into a world most of us will never know. Insight into the man who was responsible for many changes in our way of life; his motives, and the role that western governments played in shaping what he became.
E**E
Just peeking into their personal life is sad and scary
Hesitate to finish the book, knowing what the individual did. Just peeking into their personal life is sad and scary.
M**R
A fascinating look into the life of Bin Laden....
When I first approached this book, I felt it might be a feel good written by family members. It is nothing of the sort. It is absolutely riveting. Simply written but filled with heart, gut and real facts about one of the most fascinating characters of this century. Through his wife and son's story, we feel his struggles and his final decision to use his personality and assets as a force for evil rather than good. I kept wishing he had remained in the Sudan growing those giant sunflowers.This is a cannot put down book.
D**N
Well told story
This book is so informative, helps you to understand what reason bin Laden and his cohorts hated us in the United States. Peoples ridiculous religions have led to the death of millions of people through time, Will any of us ever really be safe? Thank God, I live in The United States
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