Allah's Torch: A Report from Behind the Scenes in Asia's War on Terror by Tracy Dahlby

by Tracy Dahlby

On the front–lines with the building of Al Queda forces in Indonesia both before and after 9/11, written in provocative style by the former Asia bureau chief for Newsweek International.In Allah's Torch, National Geographic's Tracy Dahlby takes readers into the sprawling, porous, virtually lawless domain of Indonesia, where overlapping lines of radical Islamic rage are now converging in Asia, posing new threats to Westerners at home and abroad.From the moment the adventure begins, the night the author blunders on board an Indonesian passenger ship with 600 Islamic warriors on an anti–Christian jihad, readers glimpse the passions, politics and personalities fuelling radical Islam's relentless march. We listen as Koran–thumping preachers, hardened holy warriors and fresh–faced recruits, police investigators, military commandos, and spies try to make sense of the epidemic chaos that threatens the region – and now the world beyond.Based on reporting both before and after September 11, Allah's Torch is an action–packed and thought–provoking narrative that enables readers to see the face of Islamic terror more clearly and assess the threat for themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Islam

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jason Snyder]

This is more of a travelogue than actual hard reporting. The first half is basically worthless, as far as any in-depth background of Indonesian terrorism goes. He just writes about how scared he is traveling around the Moluccas, even though nothing happens to him. It's pretty tedious, but it picks up in the second half. He interviews various players in the Indonesian fundamentalist scene, and comes to the conclusion that things aren't always what they seem. It's a quick read for anyone who is interested in Asian affairs and/or the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Indonesia.

[Karen C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's intention was to figure out "where Muslim anger came from and where it was taking Indonesia...and possibly the rest of the world as well." It is an interesting look at the Muslim world in Indonesia. We are reminded that there are moderates in all religions, but the real danger lies with poverty, and then corruption, extremism, and hatred becomes good business--particularly when there are no jobs, and so on. Unfortunately, during the Bush years, it's not hard to see why the world hates us. Can you see W going around Indonesia asking questions and trying to sort it all out? Yeah, right. Tracy Dahlby has an interesting sense of humor, making this book an easier read than it otherwise might have been. I think we need a few more people out there with torches. A flashlight might make more sense and it's easier to pack for a long trip.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Author tracks Muslim Terrorism in Indonesia. Told in a fun memoir style, the author and his intrepid team careen around the Island Republic, talking to Pundits, politicians and local gentry about the progress of Islamic Fundamentalism, and its discontents. You get a lot of differing views of the Asian and World situation and alot of good food for thought. The analysis is also very interesting, both International and Indonesian. While I am not sure I agree with all the author's points, I am certainly the more informed for reading it. Any level reader can enjoy this book.

[Diogenes Grief · Rating 5 out of 5]

My computer crapped out on me so I'm gonna try this on the iPad, though my gorilla-in-mittens technique of typing may have me abort this mission if it gets too sloppy. Here we go . . .

Empathy is truly a powerful force, and Dahlby has an obvious passion for Indonesia, its culture, and its people. What seemingly begins as a happenstancial travelogue, with elbow-bumping into a prominent Muslim warlord on a ferry filled with jihadis, turns into a deeply humbling and humanistic exploration of Indonesian culture, where "the idea of this crazy quilt of a country put together by the profit-seeking Dutch was in fact a real, honest-to-goodness nation-in-waiting, with a real, if richly marbled past, and thus a common, if mind-boggling complex, national identity."

To me, Dahlby does an amazing job--with the help of a superb friend and fixer, Norman--in getting his finger on the pulse of Islam in Indonesia while simultaneously reaching in and inspecting his own "Western-world" heart, critiquing global media-driven stereotypes, and finding the beautiful, if often confusing, humanity in such a vibrant and enriching part of the globe.

I hope he continues to update this endeavor, as time goes by.