Decade of Fear: Reporting from Terrorism's Grey Zone

by Michelle Shephard

Decade of Fear is a darkly entertaining journey through the complicated, often bizarre world of national security since 9/11. On that night, Toronto Star journalist Michelle Shephard watched the remains of New York’s World Trade Center fall from the sky, wondering what much of the world was asking: “Why?” So began a ten-year search for answers that took her through the streets of Mogadishu and Karachi, into the mountains of Waziristan and behind the wire of Guantanamo Bay two dozen times.

Shephard conducted hundreds of interviews worldwide, and with sharp insight and an appreciation for the absurd, she weaves together stories of warlords, presidents, spies, grieving widows and global terrorists, to describe the historic decade where often the West’s “solutions” for terrorism only served to exacerbate the problem. She cruises with former CIA bosses, runs alongside protestors in the streets of Sanaa to escape fire from Yemen’s security services during experience the Arab Spring, meets victims of terrorism who leave her devastated, and earns enough stamps on her Gitmo Starbucks card for a free latte. Gripping, heartbreaking and infuriating, Decade of Fear broadens our understanding of a decade that was all too often described through panicked rhetoric.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle East, Politics

255 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2011

Reviews

[D351 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I got via first-read giveaway. I really enjoyed this one. Michelle Shephard writes on a lot of the details that get lost in the headlines. I don't really know what to say other than that this book is highly entertaining and highly educational. I like to think I generally follow the news, not avidly but generally, and this book was full of stuff I knew little or nothing of and cleared up the details on a lot of stories/issues that the media seems to have put in to far less nuanced terms. If this information had been put in a more comprehensive/educational format, while somehow managing to keep its entertainment value, I'd have given it a 5/5. That said, I think that this format is a lot better for most people and should grant her a broader readership than those of us who generally prefer a more technical format. Altogether, I'd say 4/5 for entertainment value and 4/5 for educational value. This is about as much as I could imagine getting from one reporter doing an excellent job.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Book Club pick for February 2012 and I was not looking forward to reading it. I do enjoy non-fiction books, but not necessarily politically themed ones. Michelle Shephard is a gifted writer. She takes us to the heart of the issue of the origins of terrorism and it is interesting what she does not discuss: Iraq or Afghanistan. We go deep into Yemen, Somalia, Toronto and Guantanimo Bay. I had difficulty keeping people straight, but felt that was my cultural background and my own challenge, not a cause of her brilliant writing. Thankfully, Shephard has a wicked sense of humour which is needed when meeting/discussing such a serious matter. Her solutions to terrorism seem so logical, yet so hard to work towards given the current theme of "taking out" the one in charge. Glad this was Judy's pick for us.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I am absolutely loving this book! I hate when I have to put it down...I know it was probably a very difficult book to write..but I think that Michelle Shepard did an awesome job. I hope to be done with it soon...I will definitely put a more lengthy review together when I am finished. It really makes me think about the world situation...If you have a chance, it is a worthwhile read!

[Reece Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to read slowly. The chapters on Pakistan and Yemen are very complex and involve many different people, groups, and events. It is easy to get lost - even the author admits that she doesn't fully understand the political atmosphere of Pakistan. However, I have a list of books on my shelf to get to and I didn't give this one the time is deserved (which would have involved rereading a few chapters two or three times to fully understand) and as a result, much of it flew over my head. It is not a good introduction.

I judge a book like this based on how much it makes me want to discuss the issues with other people. In her book on Omar Kadre, I was telling everyone about the things I was reading, but with this book I had very little to talk about and was mostly confused. There are a few chapters that resonated with me, however - the story of Ismail, her trips to Guantanamo Bay, and the Toronto 18 arrest are what I will remember most.

[T.M. Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading her books, I found that I am embarrassed to be a human! I can’t believe we do such stupid stuff to each other horrible things to each other as well. This is very embarrassing if you’re human, but is very important if you read it as well!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book on the ten years since 9/11 through the eyes of a Canadian national security reporter. Shephard's book is not a heavy read, though it is at times depressing. While never really delving too deep into policies or problems, it is a good overview of what has happened in many parts of the world since 9/11, especially in Somalia and Yemen. Shephard is one of the few reporters who has kept an eye on Somalia over the entire decade and she is very good in reporting on this area.

My problem with the book is that it is literally telling the story through the eyes of a curious reporter rather than an 'expert'. In this sense, as an academic, the book left me wanting a bit more than it gave. However, I do appreciate that it is not aimed at me. It is, however, a great book or primer for a curious, general audience who are by not specialists in the area of international security.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Decade of Fear" is yet another book that I won from goodreads.

This non-fiction work by Canadian journalist Michelle Shephard travels the globe from NYC to Pakistan to Guantanamo and places in between. The focus if the book is the post-9/11 media coverage of terrorism.

Shepard's writing was engaging and interesting.

[Michelle Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read! Haha.. Okay I wrote it so have to say that. Thanks for all the kind reviews. Was very cathartic to write & sadly there may be a sequel coming.

[Bob Mcnicoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

THought provoking.