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A History of the World Since 9/11
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406 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
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422 people want to read
About the author
Dominic Streatfeild
7 books27 followersDominic Streatfeild is an author, freelance journalist and documentary maker based in the UK who specialises in military and security issues.
Streatfeild studied at Kings College London, has served in the British Armed Forces, worked for the BBC and as an independent documentary maker and journalist.
Streatfeild's television work includes BBC2’s Exocet detailing MI6 and the SAS’s clandestine war for the Falkland Islands and exposing the real reasons for the loss of HMS Sheffield, the Discovery Channel’s series Age of Terror, examining the roots of political violence and a 2010 documentary for the Discovery Channel Rescued: The Chilean Mine Story detailing the attempts to rescue 33 Chilean Miners trapped in the Copiapó mine.
Streatfeild studied at Kings College London, has served in the British Armed Forces, worked for the BBC and as an independent documentary maker and journalist.
Streatfeild's television work includes BBC2’s Exocet detailing MI6 and the SAS’s clandestine war for the Falkland Islands and exposing the real reasons for the loss of HMS Sheffield, the Discovery Channel’s series Age of Terror, examining the roots of political violence and a 2010 documentary for the Discovery Channel Rescued: The Chilean Mine Story detailing the attempts to rescue 33 Chilean Miners trapped in the Copiapó mine.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 3, 2011
Good grief - what a fantastic and shocking book. Dominic Streatfeild's last book (Brainwash: The Secret History of Mind Control) was shortlisted for Samuel Johnson - in my humble opinion this deserves to win - it's better.
If you want to understand the "magnitude of the lie" that ended with us going to war, then this is the book for you. The chapters are accessible, detailed, well constructed and superbly written. Be prepared to get angry though - Chapters 4 (Groupthink 7075-T6) and 5 (Stuff Happens) were a just a revelation for me.
Any Australians reading this MUST read the book - not only for Chapter 2 (For those who Come Across the Seas) - beauty of a reveal about the Howard/Beazley battle but you should know about what role we played in the 'cause for war' (Chapter 4).
Flag sales, asylum seekers, dog whistle politics, WMD's and 341 tonnes of "missing" explosives, the justification for invasion, extraordinary rendition, "allies of convenience" through to polio eradication.
I cannot recommend this enough.
If you want to understand the "magnitude of the lie" that ended with us going to war, then this is the book for you. The chapters are accessible, detailed, well constructed and superbly written. Be prepared to get angry though - Chapters 4 (Groupthink 7075-T6) and 5 (Stuff Happens) were a just a revelation for me.
Any Australians reading this MUST read the book - not only for Chapter 2 (For those who Come Across the Seas) - beauty of a reveal about the Howard/Beazley battle but you should know about what role we played in the 'cause for war' (Chapter 4).
Flag sales, asylum seekers, dog whistle politics, WMD's and 341 tonnes of "missing" explosives, the justification for invasion, extraordinary rendition, "allies of convenience" through to polio eradication.
I cannot recommend this enough.
August 11, 2018
An excellent work examining in eight instances the wider repercussions of 9/11 and the subsequent so-called War on Terror around the world, shedding light on some of the most appalling and reprehensible consequences thereof. While, having followed the news and read a number of books on these subjects, including several used as source material for this one, I was familiar with many of the events discussed here, that didn't make this any less of a compelling read.
April 15, 2021
Unique book on some famous incidents happened around the world after 9/11.
It cost so much sufferance to muslims in every part of the world, many of them have faced false trials, many were killed on unapproved relation with AlQaida.
I love it.
Must read book.
It cost so much sufferance to muslims in every part of the world, many of them have faced false trials, many were killed on unapproved relation with AlQaida.
I love it.
Must read book.
November 6, 2011
The main ramifications of historic events are frequently easy to see. Often, though, we overlook the ripples that produce unexpected, or even untended, effects. Take 9/11, for example. It didn't take a great deal of thought to realize it would bring the U.S. into direct armed conflict with al-Qaeda. And it was barely six weeks later that the Patriot Act went into effect. But in looking at the world after 9/11, Dominic Streatfeild doesn't limit himself to the obvious.
Streatfeild displays the unforeseen aspects of the event from the outset of his highly readable book, A History of the World Since 9/11: Disaster, Deception, and Destruction in the War on Terror . The first chapter tells the story of Mark Strovo, now sitting on death row in Texas for the October 4, 2001, murder of the operator of a convenience story and suspected of other such deaths. What does that have to do with 9/11? Well, Strovo targeted "sand niggers," darker-skinned individuals who appeared to him to be Muslim. A convicted felon and admittedly racist before 9/11, Strovo told a television station after his arrest, "I did what every other American wanted to do but didn't have the nerve."
In telling Strovo's story, Streatfeild examines some of the aspects of America and the post-9/11 rhetoric that contributed to the rage reflected in Strovo's actions. Granted, Strovo is suspected of having committed a variety of retaliatory acts against prior to the murder and it takes someone predisposed to criminal violence to act out in such an extreme fashion. Still, there is little doubt about the strength of anti-Muslim emotions after 9/11 and some viewed Muslims as a threat. And if you're wondering how Strovo so easily identified his targets, "Ay-rabs" to use his term, the answer is he didn't. The man Strovo shot to death was Hindu and came to the U.S. from India in 1982. In fact, all the suspected victims and potential victims were Asian.
A History of the World Since 9/11 points out that 9/11 had unintended effects worldwide. For example, Streatfeild examines the adverse effect it had on the World Health Organization's vaccination efforts seeking to eradicate polio worldwide. Not only did U.S. military action wholly disrupt efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan but it reinforced pre-existing suspicions in Africa and elsewhere that the vaccination program was actually an American plot against Muslims. Streatfeild, a British journalist, makes a crucial observation in the book. Whether those beliefs are true -- just as whether the U.S. lied or killed innocent people -- may well be irrelevant. "What does matter is that a huge percentage of of people in the Arab world believe them."
Streatfeild's irritation and frustration is evident throughout the book. Nowhere is it more evident than in the chapters dealing with what could be considered self-inflicted damage. Thus, A History of the World Since 9/11 explores the extraordinary rendition of a German citizen of Egyptian descent, a kidnapping, imprisonment and interrogation based entirely on mistaken identity. Streatfeild also takes the reader to the weapons depots the U.S. military failed to secure after the invasion of Iraq, the looting of which provided most of the explosives and other weapons that would be used against U.S. troops during the so-called insurgency.
Yet perhaps the most frustrating events featured in the book is the chapter examining the Bush Administration's claims in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq that Iraq had been trying to purchase aluminum tubes to greatly expand a nuclear weapons program. It may be the most condemning account of the Bush Administration's actions during that period I have ever read. Streatfeild leaves little doubt that not only did parts of the government and intelligence community take only one view of the facts, they ignored and even suppressed definitive contrary evidence. It makes clear that part of Secretary of State Colin Powell's crucial speech to the United Nations was predicated on withheld information, if not affirmative misrepresentations.
There is no doubt Streatfeild views the reverberations of 9/11 as more disastrous than the attacks themselves. It's equally clear that he condemns what nations and governments have done in the name of fighting terrorism. Yet even though A History of the World Since 9/11 does have a predisposition, it is an engrossing piece of reportage in which even those who may disagree with its conclusions can gain insight and knowledge about the impact of 9/11 on the history of the world to date.
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
Streatfeild displays the unforeseen aspects of the event from the outset of his highly readable book, A History of the World Since 9/11: Disaster, Deception, and Destruction in the War on Terror . The first chapter tells the story of Mark Strovo, now sitting on death row in Texas for the October 4, 2001, murder of the operator of a convenience story and suspected of other such deaths. What does that have to do with 9/11? Well, Strovo targeted "sand niggers," darker-skinned individuals who appeared to him to be Muslim. A convicted felon and admittedly racist before 9/11, Strovo told a television station after his arrest, "I did what every other American wanted to do but didn't have the nerve."
In telling Strovo's story, Streatfeild examines some of the aspects of America and the post-9/11 rhetoric that contributed to the rage reflected in Strovo's actions. Granted, Strovo is suspected of having committed a variety of retaliatory acts against prior to the murder and it takes someone predisposed to criminal violence to act out in such an extreme fashion. Still, there is little doubt about the strength of anti-Muslim emotions after 9/11 and some viewed Muslims as a threat. And if you're wondering how Strovo so easily identified his targets, "Ay-rabs" to use his term, the answer is he didn't. The man Strovo shot to death was Hindu and came to the U.S. from India in 1982. In fact, all the suspected victims and potential victims were Asian.
A History of the World Since 9/11 points out that 9/11 had unintended effects worldwide. For example, Streatfeild examines the adverse effect it had on the World Health Organization's vaccination efforts seeking to eradicate polio worldwide. Not only did U.S. military action wholly disrupt efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan but it reinforced pre-existing suspicions in Africa and elsewhere that the vaccination program was actually an American plot against Muslims. Streatfeild, a British journalist, makes a crucial observation in the book. Whether those beliefs are true -- just as whether the U.S. lied or killed innocent people -- may well be irrelevant. "What does matter is that a huge percentage of of people in the Arab world believe them."
Streatfeild's irritation and frustration is evident throughout the book. Nowhere is it more evident than in the chapters dealing with what could be considered self-inflicted damage. Thus, A History of the World Since 9/11 explores the extraordinary rendition of a German citizen of Egyptian descent, a kidnapping, imprisonment and interrogation based entirely on mistaken identity. Streatfeild also takes the reader to the weapons depots the U.S. military failed to secure after the invasion of Iraq, the looting of which provided most of the explosives and other weapons that would be used against U.S. troops during the so-called insurgency.
Yet perhaps the most frustrating events featured in the book is the chapter examining the Bush Administration's claims in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq that Iraq had been trying to purchase aluminum tubes to greatly expand a nuclear weapons program. It may be the most condemning account of the Bush Administration's actions during that period I have ever read. Streatfeild leaves little doubt that not only did parts of the government and intelligence community take only one view of the facts, they ignored and even suppressed definitive contrary evidence. It makes clear that part of Secretary of State Colin Powell's crucial speech to the United Nations was predicated on withheld information, if not affirmative misrepresentations.
There is no doubt Streatfeild views the reverberations of 9/11 as more disastrous than the attacks themselves. It's equally clear that he condemns what nations and governments have done in the name of fighting terrorism. Yet even though A History of the World Since 9/11 does have a predisposition, it is an engrossing piece of reportage in which even those who may disagree with its conclusions can gain insight and knowledge about the impact of 9/11 on the history of the world to date.
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
September 29, 2017
Could not recommend this book more highly. Hooked. I wanted to re-read it immediately after finishing it - completely unusual for someone that doesn't re-read books (or re-watch movies, or re-visit holiday destinations ...)!
December 15, 2018
Discusses everything from US war atrocities to Australian immigration to 9/11’s impact on the world’s attempt to eradicate polio
October 9, 2022
Excellently written book showing the ripple effect resulting from (the USA's response to) the 9/11 attacks from eight perspectives.
February 9, 2012
Some of the events and stories that have happened since 9/11 during the "war on terror" are placed in a light from the opposite side of the field. Well, not from the AQ perspective, but from the Muslims that have been caught in the middle. The book is deeply slanted against the Bush Administration and its policies during the time frame -- but despite that, its been an informative book (to a point) on some of the issues. Most Liberal folk would jump up and down with joy over the treatment of the material - while most Conservatives would most likely condemn the book as a "distortion" or an outright "lie". Since I fall into neither of those categories...you can guess at my perspective fairly easily: its a documentation of one side of the issue. Its certainly not the whole story...but it is one particular perspective of it.
Some of the writing style is a little odd too...well, it will be for those not used to reading authors of a European origin. The spelling for certain things (such as "programmes" instead of "programs") might be a little jarring to some readers, especially those that get too caught up on grammatical issues. But like I said....its not a bad read. Taken as a singular piece of a huge picture puzzle, its just a single detail.
Some of the writing style is a little odd too...well, it will be for those not used to reading authors of a European origin. The spelling for certain things (such as "programmes" instead of "programs") might be a little jarring to some readers, especially those that get too caught up on grammatical issues. But like I said....its not a bad read. Taken as a singular piece of a huge picture puzzle, its just a single detail.
August 23, 2011
Exceptionally well-written and researched bu the title is a bit misleading. Its closer to "Stupid Things People (Mostly Americans) Did Since 9/11." While he never says so directly the implication is that Al Qeada and terrorism in general gained the upper hand after 9/11. Americans and the West over-reacted, sold out many of its principles and turned large sections of the Islamic World against it. Its a big argument and his anecdotal approach ofen raises more questions than he answers. But still a very good read.
November 24, 2011
A solid, startling read on how the war on terror has changed the world - for the worse - and that in the end, everyone is to blame for what has happened since 9/11 and how the United States responded to it. Some of the more specific phraseology goes mentioned without definition, which can be irritating. Streatfeild does a good job of not inserting himself heavily into the narrative beyond the introduction and lets the eight stories speak for themselves. Looking forward to reading more works by him.
August 27, 2013
Such an impressive book. Streatfeild bothers to find the ripple effects of 9/11 around the world, often in startling places. This is an angering book, to be sure. While America is in many ways a great country, and while 9/11 was of course a despicable event, Streatfeild shows in beautiful prose that the black and white rhetoric, the certainty, the revenge motive and other American misdeeds are powerful forces of feedback in world affairs. This book is bitter medicine for those who love America without question.
October 14, 2011
Mr. Streatfeild brings very little new information to some very well trod ground - eight case studies of very poor reactions to the events of September 11. He is a compelling and interesting writer, so people who read about current events very infrequently will find much to enjoy here. Anyone who takes a serious interest in world affairs, however, is better off with a different book.
September 18, 2011
Terrific. The only criticism I have is the title ... makes it sound weighty and thick so that only someone like myself working in this field might be tempted to pick it up. But he has managed to write a compelling narrative that makes it hard to put down and would appeal to a broad audience.
October 22, 2015
Makes you think how one action (even one that is horrific) can result in many small over reactions and creates a self perpetuating a problem. Sometimes a step back and reflection on the situation helps.
Want to read
July 9, 2012**I won this book from Goodreads as a FirstReads free giveaway**
July 11, 2014
Still reading but so far I enjoy the writing style and conciseness of the author.
October 9, 2011
A quick, worthwhile read. It will make you angry- as you should be.
February 23, 2012
Excellent. I can't but help think that Marie Colvin would have liked it.
May 9, 2012
Anybody with an interest in current affairs should read this book. Some truelly scary and reveallg chapters.
July 6, 2012
factually absorbing, very well researched, thoughtful conclusions.
inspired to want to read his other books.
inspired to want to read his other books.
September 24, 2013
A series of eight different stories influenced in some way or another by the events of 9/11. Interesting micro-level view of otherwise unconnected events.
January 7, 2015
Every American should read this book
April 7, 2016
Fascinating. Shocking.
April 22, 2016
It was written with most evidents and researches. But I felt bore half of the book.
April 17, 2017
A thought-provoking volume looking at various aspects of the 'war on terror' since 9/11. As someone who was not a fan of the Blair/Bush alliance and their insistence on the existence of the WMD, I enjoyed reading the explanations and explorations of the 'evidence' laid out here.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews