audacious ascetic, The
Book Description
This groundbreaking scholarly work unveils a remarkable discovery that reshapes our understanding of one of history's most complex figures. When over 1,500 audiotapes were found in a former residence in Kandahar, Afghanistan, they revealed an unprecedented window into the mind and motivations of Osama bin Laden through his own voice and conversations with key associates.
Flagg Miller presents a nuanced exploration of how Islamic spiritual, legal, and cultural traditions influenced militant thinking in ways that challenge conventional narratives. The book examines bin Laden's relationship with asceticism, a spiritual practice of self-discipline and renunciation, and how this religious concept became intertwined with political action across various Muslim insurgencies throughout the 1990s.
Drawing from previously unpublished speeches and discussions among top leaders, Miller traces the evolution of bin Laden's ideology and reveals the significant gaps between public perception and internal reality. The audio evidence exposes how Western media coverage inadvertently amplified certain narratives, which were then strategically exploited by militants themselves.
Rather than presenting a simple story of terrorism, this scholarly analysis invites readers to examine the complex interplay between spiritual conviction, political strategy, and media representation. The work offers valuable insights into how religious concepts can be adapted for various purposes, providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between faith, ascetic practice, and political movements in the modern world.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~13 hours)
📄 Length: 459 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Terrorism
- ✓ Explore Biography
- ✓ Explore Asceticism
- ✓ Explore Political aspects
- ✓ Explore Bp190.5.a75 m55 2015
- ✓ Explore Qaida (organization)
- ✓ Explore Hv6430.b55 m55 2015
- ✓ Explore Asceticism--islam
