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The Messenger
The Messenger tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two men looking to change the world - a repentant jihadist and an idealistic journalist. This troubling real-life thriller takes us from their first meeting in a spartan flat in the rough suburbs of Manchester, to a bombing in Pakistan, a dramatic arrest and Malik's reporting career on the brink of ruin.
Ten years later, Malik returns to this extraordinary tale. He asks where we can place our trust - in reams of evidence, in a government we believe is on our side, in a terrorist who swears he's changed, in a friend who has no one else to turn to. Malik explores the uncomfortable questions about why he, as well as the wider media and the nation, surrendered to fear so easily. And he reveals how the age of terror laid the groundwork for an era of fake news and demagogues.
This is investigative journalism and storytelling of the highest order.
Ten years later, Malik returns to this extraordinary tale. He asks where we can place our trust - in reams of evidence, in a government we believe is on our side, in a terrorist who swears he's changed, in a friend who has no one else to turn to. Malik explores the uncomfortable questions about why he, as well as the wider media and the nation, surrendered to fear so easily. And he reveals how the age of terror laid the groundwork for an era of fake news and demagogues.
This is investigative journalism and storytelling of the highest order.
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First published June 14, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 11, 2019
So I have just finished The Messenger by Shiv Malik. ****This is one of those books that you shouldn’t google before reading, because the spoilers would definitely spoil the story.****
My spoiler free comments
What I liked about this:
It’s the true story of an unlikely friendship between a young atheist journalist and a jihadi British Muslim.
It’s very well-written - think good investigative journalism style in a respected newspaper.
It really explained certain historical events that I was clueless about before - such as how the Taliban started - in a way that was engaging, well-woven and to the point.
It contains a portrayal of life growing up as a Pakistani in Britain and why someone would become radicalised which I found very believable (and heart-breaking). Hassan talks about having the intellectual understanding of Islam but of lacking the spiritual side, of feeling the presence of God in his heart. A small comment but so sad.
I felt I gained some insight into the way jihadi networks function, various terrorist groups, certain government agencies/press and about certain famous people.
I actually also found the way Islam to be discussed to be true to my understanding, relevant and insightful.
BUT: the key problem with writing true stories down as they unfold is that people’s lives don’t have the narrative arc of a fictionalised story. Without saying too much the journalist did not get to write the ending he wanted to write. In the end, I felt he was determined to put the book out and did so. I wonder if it was a wise move on his part, especially what he speculated about.
Still, I was carried along on the emotional journey in this book. I feel for both of the principal characters and I think I have a much clearer understanding of key world events and modern day terrorism. I also found some of the conclusions in the book about press/government very disturbing, enlightening, worth knowing but disheartening.
So I think it is well worth reading even if the end cast doubt on the whole.
My spoiler free comments
What I liked about this:
It’s the true story of an unlikely friendship between a young atheist journalist and a jihadi British Muslim.
It’s very well-written - think good investigative journalism style in a respected newspaper.
It really explained certain historical events that I was clueless about before - such as how the Taliban started - in a way that was engaging, well-woven and to the point.
It contains a portrayal of life growing up as a Pakistani in Britain and why someone would become radicalised which I found very believable (and heart-breaking). Hassan talks about having the intellectual understanding of Islam but of lacking the spiritual side, of feeling the presence of God in his heart. A small comment but so sad.
I felt I gained some insight into the way jihadi networks function, various terrorist groups, certain government agencies/press and about certain famous people.
I actually also found the way Islam to be discussed to be true to my understanding, relevant and insightful.
BUT: the key problem with writing true stories down as they unfold is that people’s lives don’t have the narrative arc of a fictionalised story. Without saying too much the journalist did not get to write the ending he wanted to write. In the end, I felt he was determined to put the book out and did so. I wonder if it was a wise move on his part, especially what he speculated about.
Still, I was carried along on the emotional journey in this book. I feel for both of the principal characters and I think I have a much clearer understanding of key world events and modern day terrorism. I also found some of the conclusions in the book about press/government very disturbing, enlightening, worth knowing but disheartening.
So I think it is well worth reading even if the end cast doubt on the whole.
January 3, 2021
Audible Original podcast 8 episodes. Hugely engaging and thought provoking, how do investigative journalists balance verification with belief in their source. Immediately and risk retaliation for the source? Or, given what subsequent research confirmed, what if the facts are borne out but public humiliation occurred first, and was possibly inevitable. What if your whole profession gave weight to the source, but only one was painted as a fool, when everyone was misled, or were they? Life is messy at the best of times, add in the chaotic world of shambolic jihadists vulnerable to financial grifters, and so many more are affected than one would imagine.
April 9, 2020
It was like reading a spy novel! The message at the end though was the most important.
November 30, 2020
"All stories have their power, but it doesn't matter if they're true or not. What matters is us. Because we choose to listen, we choose to be controlled. We can choose to be afraid."
Fascinating and captivating, with a totally unexpected ending. Now free on Audible plus US or Audible UK.
Fascinating and captivating, with a totally unexpected ending. Now free on Audible plus US or Audible UK.
September 17, 2022
What happens when two would-be messiahs collide? Find out in this book. Don't expect to learn anything about real Islam here (though Shiv's own prejudices get plenty of airplay), but with some thought you will gain an insight into how what we read about Muslims in the news is orchestrated to steer the plebs in the right direction.
December 18, 2020
A really gripping and interesting read. Almost all of the events involved I am too young to remember, but it still feels very close to home. Recommend the audible original as a well produced audio version of the story.
December 22, 2020
Really enjoyed this account, amazing how complicated journalism can get especially when your specialty is terrorism. Amazing how their relationship was built on lies, a lot of them! A little surprised at his account of the situation with Irshad Manji.
November 26, 2020
This was an 8-episode Audible free download. Really enjoyed it.
April 26, 2021
Sob story, but dude. Seriously. You were stupid.
January 26, 2021
Weak and thin story. I feel the author was attempting to make us warm up to Hassan Butt and himself. Cannot imagine how would a journalist be that naive to fall for Hassan's story and keep asking him "why me" "why you lied" "we were friends!!
The story lacks depth, highlighting Hassan's life to make him look like the victim and the hero who renounced Al Qaeda. Besides, poor Shiv Malik being the patsy- oh no! Why?
Research and books on terrorism intrigue me; however, not this one. I could imagine how challenging it was for the author to get all details and personal stories out of Hassan, even if its not all true, still cannot understand why he presumed that Hassan is his friend and took all he said for granted.
The story lacks depth, highlighting Hassan's life to make him look like the victim and the hero who renounced Al Qaeda. Besides, poor Shiv Malik being the patsy- oh no! Why?
Research and books on terrorism intrigue me; however, not this one. I could imagine how challenging it was for the author to get all details and personal stories out of Hassan, even if its not all true, still cannot understand why he presumed that Hassan is his friend and took all he said for granted.
January 13, 2022
Read with a grain of salt.
I struggled with this 8 series presentation of what could have been great unadulterated journalism that the author instead was obsessed with making sure it was still turned into a book deal though there was no conclusive evidence. His evidence was the actual TERRORIST, the very same he claims was his FRIEND but was also PATHOLOGICAL LIAR! INCONSISTENCIES! So was he this man's friend or a ruthless terrorist or a pathological liar? 🤔 The book did have several good qualities interspersed & Shiv's writing and his background information on terrorism was enlightening. However, I believe his desire to write this book was an overwhelming obsession and it blinded him to stick to reporting just the facts and led to jumping to conclusions.
I struggled with this 8 series presentation of what could have been great unadulterated journalism that the author instead was obsessed with making sure it was still turned into a book deal though there was no conclusive evidence. His evidence was the actual TERRORIST, the very same he claims was his FRIEND but was also PATHOLOGICAL LIAR! INCONSISTENCIES! So was he this man's friend or a ruthless terrorist or a pathological liar? 🤔 The book did have several good qualities interspersed & Shiv's writing and his background information on terrorism was enlightening. However, I believe his desire to write this book was an overwhelming obsession and it blinded him to stick to reporting just the facts and led to jumping to conclusions.
March 8, 2021
Interesting, confusing, exasperating, bewildering. I don't think I'd enjoy the job of a freelance journalist and as for the subject of the story... why do some people expend so much energy fighting over words that were written by people hundreds of years ago?
This book simply demonstrates how easily the meaning of words can be misread, misconstrued and twisted to suit the individual in receipt of the communication whether through the recall of conversations, tape recordings, texts or written prose. Everything is subjective, including religious doctrine... just saying...
This book simply demonstrates how easily the meaning of words can be misread, misconstrued and twisted to suit the individual in receipt of the communication whether through the recall of conversations, tape recordings, texts or written prose. Everything is subjective, including religious doctrine... just saying...
January 13, 2022
A tale of more than meets the eye, Shiv Malik's gripping 8-episode Audible podcast "The Messenger" follows his odyssey as a journalist whose story becomes tangled with a shapeshifting source accused of terrorism. I found the author's balance of examining the events around 9/11, exploring the case of Hassan Butt, and sharing his own personal narrative to be particularly well-done.
March 18, 2023
The In depth story of the friendship formed between a journalist and a terrorist.
Shiv Malik stood up for journalists by not revealing his source. However that source and his "friend" lied and used him for his own gain.
Shiv Malik stood up for journalists by not revealing his source. However that source and his "friend" lied and used him for his own gain.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews