The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century

Steve Coll

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In Circulation

The rise and rise of the Bin Laden family is one of the great stories of the twentieth century; its repercussions have already deeply marked the twenty-first. Until now, however, it is a story that has never been fully told, as the Bin Ladens have successfully fended off attempts to understand the family circles from which Osama sprang. In this the family has been abetted by the kingdom it calls home, Saudi Arabia, one of the most closed societies on earth.

Steve Coll’s The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century is the groundbreaking history of a family and its fortune. It chronicles a young illiterate Yemeni bricklayer, Mohamed Bin Laden, who went to the new, oil-rich country of Saudi Arabia and quickly became a vital figure in its development, building great mosques and highways and making himself and many of his children millionaires. It is also a story of the Saudi royal family, whom the Bin Ladens served loyally and without whose capricious favor they would have been nothing. And it is a story of tensions and contradictions in a country founded on extreme religious purity, which then became awash in oil money and dazzled by the temptations of the West.

In only two generations the Bin Ladens moved from a famine-stricken desert canyon to luxury jets, yachts, and private compounds around the world, even going into business with Hollywood celebrities. These religious and cultural gyrations resulted in everything from enthusiasm for America—exemplified by Osama’s free-living pilot brother Salem—to an overwhelming determination to destroy it.

The Bin Ladens is a meticulously researched, colorful, shocking, entertaining, and disturbing narrative of global integration and its limitations. It encapsulates the unsettling contradictions of globalization in the story of a single family who has used money, mobility, and technology to dramatically varied ends.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Bin Laden Family Background: The book provides an in-depth look at the history and background of the Bin Laden family, tracing its origins and rise in the business world.

  2. Construction Empire: It explores the success of the Bin Laden family in the construction industry, particularly the growth of the Saudi Binladin Group, one of the largest construction companies in the Middle East.

  3. Relationship with Saudi Royal Family: The book examines the Bin Laden family's close ties with the Saudi royal family and its role in various development projects in Saudi Arabia.

  4. Osama Bin Laden's Early Life: Steve Coll delves into the early life of Osama Bin Laden, his radicalization, and his involvement in jihadist activities.

  5. Al-Qaeda's Formation: The book covers the formation of Al-Qaeda, the extremist organization founded by Osama Bin Laden, and its evolution into a global terrorist network.

  6. Saudi-U.S. Relations: It explores the intricate relationship between the Bin Laden family, the Saudi government, and the United States, shedding light on the complexities of the geopolitical landscape.

  7. Tensions Within the Bin Laden Family: The book discusses internal tensions within the Bin Laden family, particularly the divergent paths taken by various family members, some of whom disassociated themselves from Osama.

  8. Impact of 9/11 Attacks: Steve Coll analyzes the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the repercussions for the Bin Laden family, which faced scrutiny and disruption in its business dealings.

  9. Globalization and Business Ventures: The author explores how the Bin Laden family's business interests became entangled with the forces of globalization, bringing both opportunities and challenges.

  10. Security Measures Post-9/11: The book discusses the increased security measures and scrutiny faced by the Bin Laden family and its businesses in the post-9/11 world.

Language English
ISBN-10 1594201641
ISBN-13 9781594201646
No of pages 688
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Penguin Press
Published Date 01 Apr 2008

About Author

Author : Steve Coll

1 Books

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