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Who Killed Daniel Pearl?
Bernard-Henri Levy's Who Killed Daniel Pearl? offers a harrowing look at Pearl's life and tragic death wrought with a unique blending of journalism, novelist's imagination, and autobiography. Levy — an acclaimed French philosopher and bestselling author in Europe — in 2002 launched a one-year journey to understand Wall Street Journal reporter Pearl and the circumstances that led to his murder in Pakistan; the briskly paced result traces a thread from Pearl's killers through Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and, possibly, to Al-Quaida. In building his case, Levy takes none of the news stories on face value. At great personal risk, he follows the same steps that Pearl walked to the very farm house where the journalist was killed. He seems to question everything and provides bearing witness as the truth-telling reportage required in a nation like Pakistan that "has lost even the very idea of what a free press could be."
But Levy does not let his interrogative mind crush the emotional weight of his subject. He questions himself frequently, undermines his own assumptions, and continually returns to the man, Pearl: "a man who was ordinary and exemplary, normal and admirable." Ultimately, the book is a powerful work of compassion as much as a valuable bit of detective work. It is about a good man who died too soon as well as the terrible alliances that could perform such an act against him. Levy does not want Pearl's lessons to be lost to the world. He, like Pearl, seeks a "gentle Islam" that will resist the ring of blood and hate in what Levy calls "the beginning of the grand struggle of the century." — Patrick O'Kelley
But Levy does not let his interrogative mind crush the emotional weight of his subject. He questions himself frequently, undermines his own assumptions, and continually returns to the man, Pearl: "a man who was ordinary and exemplary, normal and admirable." Ultimately, the book is a powerful work of compassion as much as a valuable bit of detective work. It is about a good man who died too soon as well as the terrible alliances that could perform such an act against him. Levy does not want Pearl's lessons to be lost to the world. He, like Pearl, seeks a "gentle Islam" that will resist the ring of blood and hate in what Levy calls "the beginning of the grand struggle of the century." — Patrick O'Kelley
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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316 people want to read
About the author
Bernard-Henri Lévy
111 books241 followersBernard-Henri Lévy is a philosopher, activist, filmmaker, and author of more than thirty books including The Genius of Judaism, American Vertigo, Barbarism with a Human Face, and Who Killed Daniel Pearl? His writing has appeared extensively in publications throughout Europe and the United States. His documentaries include Peshmerga, The Battle of Mosul, The Oath of Tobruk, and Bosna! Lévy is cofounder of the antiracist group SOS Racisme and has served on diplomatic missions for the French government.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 12, 2008
An explosive new French book that says journalist Daniel Pearl was killed because he'd uncovered links between al-Qaida and the Pakistani government including the possible trading of nuclear secrets, and that has been causing a sensation in Europe, will be published in English this fall by Melville House.
The book, to be released in English as "Who Killed Daniel Pearl?", is by leading French philosopher and journalist Bernard-Henri Lévy, who has written several books about the region and who served as French President Jacques Chirac's special envoy to Afghanistan. Lévy retraces Pearl's final days and says the Wall Street Journal correspondent was on the trail of links between "the most violent and most anti-American faction" in the Pakistani intelligence service and terrorists who were trading nuclear arms secrets with Iran and the North Koreans.
Lévy also retraces the path of the man who lured Pearl into a trap in Karachi -- Omar Sheikh, a British-born and London School of Economics-educated Islamic extremist whom Lévy says was working as an agent for the Pakistanis.
Written with the cooperation of Pearl's widow and parents, the book also includes Lévy's extensive discussions with Pearl's family about their theories regarding why he was killed.
"Who Killed Daniel Pearl" has caused a sensation in Europe, where it has shot up bestseller lists in France, and generated extensive coverage in the international media. Appearing on America's Charlie Rose PBS TV program, Lévy emphasized that his findings left him in strong support of the American attack of Afghanistan, and he called the attack on Iraq "morally" sound, but said that the real enemy is Pakistan. In a BBC report he said Omar Sheikh was "close to bin Laden." For the French newspaper Le Figaro, Lévy concluded, "Radical Islam is as much to be feared today as the communist and fascist totalitarianisms of yesterday were."
Lévy's American publisher, Melville House, says the book will be available in the U.S. and Britain in just a few months.
"We are honored to be bringing this book to the English-speaking world," said Melville House publisher Dennis Loy Johnson. "Beyond the fact that it's an extremely moving tribute to Daniel Pearl, the global implications of what Bernard-Henri Lévy has discovered are evident. Publishers always say their books are 'important.' But this one truly is."
The book, to be released in English as "Who Killed Daniel Pearl?", is by leading French philosopher and journalist Bernard-Henri Lévy, who has written several books about the region and who served as French President Jacques Chirac's special envoy to Afghanistan. Lévy retraces Pearl's final days and says the Wall Street Journal correspondent was on the trail of links between "the most violent and most anti-American faction" in the Pakistani intelligence service and terrorists who were trading nuclear arms secrets with Iran and the North Koreans.
Lévy also retraces the path of the man who lured Pearl into a trap in Karachi -- Omar Sheikh, a British-born and London School of Economics-educated Islamic extremist whom Lévy says was working as an agent for the Pakistanis.
Written with the cooperation of Pearl's widow and parents, the book also includes Lévy's extensive discussions with Pearl's family about their theories regarding why he was killed.
"Who Killed Daniel Pearl" has caused a sensation in Europe, where it has shot up bestseller lists in France, and generated extensive coverage in the international media. Appearing on America's Charlie Rose PBS TV program, Lévy emphasized that his findings left him in strong support of the American attack of Afghanistan, and he called the attack on Iraq "morally" sound, but said that the real enemy is Pakistan. In a BBC report he said Omar Sheikh was "close to bin Laden." For the French newspaper Le Figaro, Lévy concluded, "Radical Islam is as much to be feared today as the communist and fascist totalitarianisms of yesterday were."
Lévy's American publisher, Melville House, says the book will be available in the U.S. and Britain in just a few months.
"We are honored to be bringing this book to the English-speaking world," said Melville House publisher Dennis Loy Johnson. "Beyond the fact that it's an extremely moving tribute to Daniel Pearl, the global implications of what Bernard-Henri Lévy has discovered are evident. Publishers always say their books are 'important.' But this one truly is."
January 25, 2014
I hated this book so much I couldn't put it down: how more dreadful can it possibly get? But the author's abject pomposity becomes overwhelming in the final stages as he "speculates" as to what Daniel Pearl is thinking during his final hours - and so I had to toss it away.
It comes as a relief to discover that Pearl's wife has heavily derided the book and especially its author. Levy has written a book (as usual, I gather) about himself, and what an important commentator and ahem, philosopher he is. Politically it's just drab - anchored in Levy's usual position of supporting the powers that be. More obnoxiously, the book is so dripping with smarm and self-adulation that it leaves a trail of slime across the readers mind. Repugnant.
It comes as a relief to discover that Pearl's wife has heavily derided the book and especially its author. Levy has written a book (as usual, I gather) about himself, and what an important commentator and ahem, philosopher he is. Politically it's just drab - anchored in Levy's usual position of supporting the powers that be. More obnoxiously, the book is so dripping with smarm and self-adulation that it leaves a trail of slime across the readers mind. Repugnant.
November 11, 2018
a must read. amazing research which clash the evil done by the horror of terrorist to an positive and optimistic soul of the late Daniel Pearl i met him 2 months perior to his death and the schock is still here. a must read
November 21, 2013
This book started really well. I was intrigued by the story, which wasn't one I remembered well. Then it started getting confusing with Levy using a lot of guessing and assumptions to tell a story that has no real proof behind it. I found more questions unanswered at the end of the book than were asked in the first place and the title question, who did kill Daniel Pearl on 31st January 2002?, is never answered. A lot of suspects and a few reasons behind the murder are addressed by Levy but no definite conclusion can be made.
I especially hated his reconstruction of Daniel Pearl's last days and moments. Speculations (often phrased as facts) on Daniel's last thoughts including a detailed life-flashing-before-his-eyes montage may have added a bit of humanity to a cruel and sad moment, but would've been so hard for his family to read.
I read to the end of this book hoping, finally, that Levy would produce some surprising bit of information uncovered during his research that would help him come to a conclusion. It doesn't happen.
Though Levy refers often to his other books and obviously has very high regard for the work he does, I would not rush out to read anything else he has written.
But I would love to one day read a book that finally answers the question of who killed Daniel Pearl.
I especially hated his reconstruction of Daniel Pearl's last days and moments. Speculations (often phrased as facts) on Daniel's last thoughts including a detailed life-flashing-before-his-eyes montage may have added a bit of humanity to a cruel and sad moment, but would've been so hard for his family to read.
I read to the end of this book hoping, finally, that Levy would produce some surprising bit of information uncovered during his research that would help him come to a conclusion. It doesn't happen.
Though Levy refers often to his other books and obviously has very high regard for the work he does, I would not rush out to read anything else he has written.
But I would love to one day read a book that finally answers the question of who killed Daniel Pearl.
September 18, 2007
BHL is officially the author I love to hate. On the one hand his research is top-notch and first-hand. I soaked up the information. On the other, his speculations - amongst others - on Daniel Pearl's last moments were unnecessary and he continues to annoy the living daylights out of me with his name-dropping and pontificating. Read this book (also available in English under the title Who Killed Daniel Pearl?) if you are looking to learn more about Islamic extremism, especially about how al-Qaeda, the ISI, the Taliban, CIA, Iraq, Bosnia, 9/11 and the murder of Daniel Pearl are all tied together. Seriously worth the read. Recommended by Professor Sugarman at the University of Vermont whose opinion I always highly value.
January 31, 2016
Levy provides details and perspectives that are often overlooked in the most common portrayals of the assassination. One of the sharpest of these is the discussion of the multifarious groups that contributed thugs to the operation. Levy calls this collaboration the "parliament of Pakistani Islamism." This unnatural conglomerate implicates the Pakistani state itself in the demise of Mr. Pearl, but I seriously doubt they will be held to account.
November 25, 2012
Who Killed Daniel Pearl, by Bernard-Henri Levy, is extremely heart-wrenching, and a serious work of non-fiction detailing the last days of journalist Daniel Pearl’s life.
Daniel Pearl’s physical death, and his last words “I am Jewish”, has sparked a life of its own, not only bringing Pearl to life, eternal, but, educating others, worldwide, on the humankind within of all of us…the fact we are one…under the sun…no matter where we reside.
His death inspired Levy to take on the enormous cause of trying to uncover the truth of Pearl’s death. What he discovered, in his travels, is both appalling and incredible. Facts are uncovered, brought out in the open, and given us more than food for thought. Levy goes beyond mere conjuncture, by traveling, and sojourning, for one year, and walking in the footsteps of the last days of Pearl. His journal writings go beyond the ordinary, and, finally, were put into this compelling book, a commentary on Pearl, as much as it is on the mystery surrounding Pearl’s execution, leading him, and us, to ask intense and hard questions surrounding Pearl’s death, and exactly who was at fault. His insight and inquisitiveness goes beyond that of mere investigation.
The book reads like an intrigue, a dramatic and compelling spy and detective story, but in reality, is based on the fact that Pearl was murdered…going in-depth, beyond boundaries that even governments went, and into the heart of, not only Pearl, but the heart of who might actually have killed Daniel Pearl, and why he was murdered.
Who Killed Daniel Pearl, is a book, yes, but more than that, it is a metaphor for Daniel Pearl’s untimely death at the hands of terrorists.
I personally own and have read this book.
Daniel Pearl’s physical death, and his last words “I am Jewish”, has sparked a life of its own, not only bringing Pearl to life, eternal, but, educating others, worldwide, on the humankind within of all of us…the fact we are one…under the sun…no matter where we reside.
His death inspired Levy to take on the enormous cause of trying to uncover the truth of Pearl’s death. What he discovered, in his travels, is both appalling and incredible. Facts are uncovered, brought out in the open, and given us more than food for thought. Levy goes beyond mere conjuncture, by traveling, and sojourning, for one year, and walking in the footsteps of the last days of Pearl. His journal writings go beyond the ordinary, and, finally, were put into this compelling book, a commentary on Pearl, as much as it is on the mystery surrounding Pearl’s execution, leading him, and us, to ask intense and hard questions surrounding Pearl’s death, and exactly who was at fault. His insight and inquisitiveness goes beyond that of mere investigation.
The book reads like an intrigue, a dramatic and compelling spy and detective story, but in reality, is based on the fact that Pearl was murdered…going in-depth, beyond boundaries that even governments went, and into the heart of, not only Pearl, but the heart of who might actually have killed Daniel Pearl, and why he was murdered.
Who Killed Daniel Pearl, is a book, yes, but more than that, it is a metaphor for Daniel Pearl’s untimely death at the hands of terrorists.
I personally own and have read this book.
January 9, 2013
Indeed, who did kill and cut up into ten pieces Daniel Pearl, the Jewish-American journalist on assignment in Pakistan in 2002, this book asks. And, more deeply, why? Who were the fundamentalists behind this foul and appalling deed? Levy creates an intriguing insight, especially into the murky, brutal, Islamist world of Pakistan, and indeed into some western Muslims who enthusiastically get caught up in this darkness.
Unfortunately, sympathy for these fanatics comes all too often from the world's New Left who, like the fundamentalists they end up aligning themselves with, hold this exact view: 'We don't care what America does or doesn't think, because the crime isn't thought, the crime is America.' -- And one might add, 'being a Jew!' Yes, Pearl was murdered for this.
'Can't we hear behind this... the voice of another infamy?' Levy asks, and rightfully points to the (left wing and fundamentalist) neo-fascism of our times.
Finally, and sinisterly, as Levy concludes: 'Daniel Pearl is dead, victim of neo-anti-Judaism that is blossoming before our eyes.' The world was warned more than two and half decades ago of this precise re-occurrence; this books marks another, scary, contemporary warning.
Unfortunately, sympathy for these fanatics comes all too often from the world's New Left who, like the fundamentalists they end up aligning themselves with, hold this exact view: 'We don't care what America does or doesn't think, because the crime isn't thought, the crime is America.' -- And one might add, 'being a Jew!' Yes, Pearl was murdered for this.
'Can't we hear behind this... the voice of another infamy?' Levy asks, and rightfully points to the (left wing and fundamentalist) neo-fascism of our times.
Finally, and sinisterly, as Levy concludes: 'Daniel Pearl is dead, victim of neo-anti-Judaism that is blossoming before our eyes.' The world was warned more than two and half decades ago of this precise re-occurrence; this books marks another, scary, contemporary warning.
June 21, 2009
Its hard to know truth. Truth is so different for each individual. The truth purported by Levy is a terrifying one; it leads to nuclear power out of control due to Pakistan; hatred of the West by all muslims, islamic followers using religion as usurpers of power. Elimination of any opposition is the goal. Well worth the time and effort to understand his point of view on why Daniel Pearl was fingered and then killed, and who our real enemies may be.
February 20, 2023
great book. Gives narratives: what is Pakistan, the unheard details...
i still wonder why such a risky sojourn was undertaken by Mr. Levi.
It is a non-fiction book that explores the life and death of Daniel Pearl, an American journalist who was kidnapped and killed by Islamic militants in Pakistan in 2002. The book is based on interviews with Pearl's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as on court transcripts and other documents.
i still wonder why such a risky sojourn was undertaken by Mr. Levi.
It is a non-fiction book that explores the life and death of Daniel Pearl, an American journalist who was kidnapped and killed by Islamic militants in Pakistan in 2002. The book is based on interviews with Pearl's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as on court transcripts and other documents.
November 27, 2017
A masterwork of investigative journalism, both into Pearls' final investigation and the shaky alliance of terrorist networks that continue to run Pakistan.
October 26, 2008
A fabulous book in which Levy traces Pearls’ final days and comes up with a notion about what happened to Pearl, and why. Compelling, interesting reading.
September 28, 2009
This is fascinating, I don't know if BHL got the story right but if he did -- it reads like fiction.
September 11, 2016
Une lecture intéressante.
July 9, 2023
Je suis assez mitigée au sujet de ce livre.
J'ai relevé pas mal de choses illogiques.
Je me demande si c'est une enquête ou si c'est romancé.
Par exemple son fixeur (guide) à Karachi a peur de la police secrète, il craint pour sa vie et celles de sa famille, mais il lui donne les coordonnées d'un collègue. Pas très sympa ou mytho!!
Ou encore les gens ont peur, c'est l'omerta partout. Il va dans le quartier où Daniel Pearl aurait été emmené et là, un agent immobilier, un glacier et un autre employé lui parle d'une arrestation musclée en face de leurs boutiques respectives, et tout ça librement, sans crainte.
Et d'autres choses,je ne peux pas tout noter, ça serait trop long.
Trop pompeux et incohérent à mon goût, je pense que l'auteur devrait se cantonner à la philosophie, bien que je n'ai jamais lu ses écrits philosophiques.
J'ai relevé pas mal de choses illogiques.
Je me demande si c'est une enquête ou si c'est romancé.
Par exemple son fixeur (guide) à Karachi a peur de la police secrète, il craint pour sa vie et celles de sa famille, mais il lui donne les coordonnées d'un collègue. Pas très sympa ou mytho!!
Ou encore les gens ont peur, c'est l'omerta partout. Il va dans le quartier où Daniel Pearl aurait été emmené et là, un agent immobilier, un glacier et un autre employé lui parle d'une arrestation musclée en face de leurs boutiques respectives, et tout ça librement, sans crainte.
Et d'autres choses,je ne peux pas tout noter, ça serait trop long.
Trop pompeux et incohérent à mon goût, je pense que l'auteur devrait se cantonner à la philosophie, bien que je n'ai jamais lu ses écrits philosophiques.
October 2, 2024
One of the most excruciating reads ever. BHL’s narcissism stands front and centre in every sentence he writes, for a book that supposedly tries to dive deeper into Daniel Pearl’s last days. It offers little to no insights of the man or the incidents leading to his murder. Add to this, a generous dose of western ethnocentric views of South Asia and Pakistan and you get this steaming pile of garbage. Wish goodreads offered a zero star rating but I’m going with 1 star - not for the book but for myself for braving through this monstrosity.
January 23, 2026
Livre plutôt intéressant mais très lourd au niveau du nombre de personnage présente, contexte assez complexe à maîtriser même si le sujet reste intéressant
November 18, 2015
I do not think we can ever be sure who killed Daniel Pearl but I would say that going to Pakistan where Americans are hated is a very dangerous place to report from, I would never be a roving world reporter.
May 15, 2011
Gripping page-turner, whodunit...
April 24, 2009
This book was poorly written and seemed to be more about Levy than Pearl.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews