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Terrorist Hunter
The remarkable memoir of an Iraqi woman who escaped from captivity in Baghdad and became America's leading undercover counter-terrorist expert. Here is the story of an anonymous counter-terrorism expert, a young woman, who, in disguise, has penetrated front groups of anti-American terrorist organizations operating in this country. In this edge-of-the-seat memoir, she chronicles her escape from Iraq via Iran to Israel, following a great tragedy that befell her family at the hands of Saddam Hussein. She also details how she became involved in intelligence gathering for the United States, her adoptive country, while working for an antiterrorism group. With her unique insights into how terrorist groups veil their true operations by various means, she was able to infiltrate and identify dangerous terrorist organizations and entities working undetected in the United States. Terrorist Hunter provides fascinating and shocking information on how federal agencies, chiefly the FBI and the State Depart-ment, repeatedly ignored or mishandled important information she provided. She reveals her role in exposing terrorist supporters who the White House considered to be friends, in preventing the government from funding terrorist activities, and in the deportation of terrorists and their supporters. She also reveals how she discovered a billion-dollar scheme that rich Saudi Arabians set up to filter money to terrorist groups, through charities and businesses in the United States -- information that the FBI sat on for years, until after 9-11.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published May 6, 2003
11 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Anonymous
791k books3,375 followersBooks can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:
* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 9, 2008
Wow. Wow. Wow. There was a lot of hype surrounding this book when it was initially published and I absolutely see why. I took a look at a lot of the reviews on amazon.com and it seems that there were a number of people who complained about this book but were still compelled to give the book a high rating. I suppose my take on this is because of the following: the intended audience for this book is the general American populace who knows very little about the Middle East and terrorism. I’m one of those people.
Now, that’s not to say that those of us who don’t know much about these particular enemies are ignorant idiots who are making a decided effort to stick our heads in the sand and ignore the problem. In our defense, a lot of what we’re dealing with is so foreign that I want to spell it with a capital F. The language is very difficult to understand what with all the a’s and l’s and commas and the ideas are so different that it’s extremely challenging to wrap our brains around what’s going on. And not only is that, but the turbulent history that has existed in the Middle East for almost as long as mankind has existed in the area is constantly changing. Groups of people who were enemies last year are suddenly working for the same cause and vice versa. It’s hard to keep up with it all and as a result, I think a lot of us have the tendency to ignore things that are perceived as too hard, which is why I believe this book has been such a success. It’s complicated subject matter but the author’s voice tells her story in such a way that you forget to feel confused. She understands and respects the commonly known fact that most of us ARE ignorant where these things are concerned but she does not hurl it into our faces and accuse of neglecting areas of awareness that we absolutely cannot afford to neglect. I think she did an excellent job of explaining the details that were necessary to keep her story moving.
The second half of “not knowing” entirely what’s going on has a lot to do (at least I think) with the fact that as Americans, especially young ones, we passionately believe in two things: 1) political correctness and 2) innocent until proven guilty. The older I get and the more jaded I become, the more I begin to think that these two concepts are idealistic concepts that sometimes work and sometimes backfire and so zealously holding on to these tenets may not always be in our best interest.
The book is engaging and the story is thrilling and chilling and really, there’s no reason to not recommend this book. So far it’s been the best book that I’ve picked up for work-related reading material and I feel strongly that this book would appeal to a lot of people who are curious about what’s going on out there without wanting to dig in their heels and become experts on the subject matter. It’s comfortably filled with American colloquialism so that portions of it feel familiar while discussing events and people that are not comfortable or familiar.
I am NOT a fan of non-fiction. I only read non-fiction if I must. Since it’s a requirement for my job to read books that have to do with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing (approximately one per month), I’ve found myself reading a lot of them lately. But I AM a fan of this book. It is excellent.
Now, that’s not to say that those of us who don’t know much about these particular enemies are ignorant idiots who are making a decided effort to stick our heads in the sand and ignore the problem. In our defense, a lot of what we’re dealing with is so foreign that I want to spell it with a capital F. The language is very difficult to understand what with all the a’s and l’s and commas and the ideas are so different that it’s extremely challenging to wrap our brains around what’s going on. And not only is that, but the turbulent history that has existed in the Middle East for almost as long as mankind has existed in the area is constantly changing. Groups of people who were enemies last year are suddenly working for the same cause and vice versa. It’s hard to keep up with it all and as a result, I think a lot of us have the tendency to ignore things that are perceived as too hard, which is why I believe this book has been such a success. It’s complicated subject matter but the author’s voice tells her story in such a way that you forget to feel confused. She understands and respects the commonly known fact that most of us ARE ignorant where these things are concerned but she does not hurl it into our faces and accuse of neglecting areas of awareness that we absolutely cannot afford to neglect. I think she did an excellent job of explaining the details that were necessary to keep her story moving.
The second half of “not knowing” entirely what’s going on has a lot to do (at least I think) with the fact that as Americans, especially young ones, we passionately believe in two things: 1) political correctness and 2) innocent until proven guilty. The older I get and the more jaded I become, the more I begin to think that these two concepts are idealistic concepts that sometimes work and sometimes backfire and so zealously holding on to these tenets may not always be in our best interest.
The book is engaging and the story is thrilling and chilling and really, there’s no reason to not recommend this book. So far it’s been the best book that I’ve picked up for work-related reading material and I feel strongly that this book would appeal to a lot of people who are curious about what’s going on out there without wanting to dig in their heels and become experts on the subject matter. It’s comfortably filled with American colloquialism so that portions of it feel familiar while discussing events and people that are not comfortable or familiar.
I am NOT a fan of non-fiction. I only read non-fiction if I must. Since it’s a requirement for my job to read books that have to do with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing (approximately one per month), I’ve found myself reading a lot of them lately. But I AM a fan of this book. It is excellent.
June 1, 2011
An enjoyable and enthralling book that shows various government agencies in a negative light. That being said, those agencies deserve it. Anyone who has worked in government and/or business is aware of 'turf' and that is one of the obstacles to fighting terrorists. Frequently information is kept from those that can use it. Communications is often only one way. Agents get upset that others have been able to connect the dots before they have. Perhaps even worse for some of the agencies is the information has been public knowledge and they overlooked what is before their eyes. The book is copyright 2003. Maybe things have changed but I doubt it.
March 13, 2010
Perhaps one the bravest women America has ever known, "Annonymous" recounts an emotionally charged life story of her escape from the brutal Hussein regime's Iraq, her young adult years in Israel, and her life in America hunting down terrorist organizations from within undercover. Also a frank record of her experiences dealing with government agencies which continue struggling to effectively combat terrorism even after 9/11. Her work has saved lives the world over and I recommend it as required reading for all who hope for a brighter future for our world's future which is free of terror and islamic fundamentalism. Her conclusions at the end are spot-on. The only way to completely win this struggle against the fundamentalist murders is to battle not jsut with bullets, but also to eradicate the monetary, ideologigal and educational institutions that continues to fuel their ambitions everywhere to this day. May we all read this remarkable book and follow her example in whatever ways we can to fight terrorism so that our world may find peace.
November 29, 2017
Anyone who cares about 9-11 or the progress of our continued fight in the War on Terror needs to read this book. It is profound.
October 29, 2019
Very interesting, and certainly frightening. Anonymous is now known to be Rita Katz. After finishing the book, I read more about her to try to verify some of the stories. The extent to which she was instrumental in rooting out charities and other organizations in the US that were funding terrorism definitely checks out. However, she is criticized now because she sees terrorism everywhere; and not everything that she points out actually relates to terrorism. I thought that too as I was reading. Maybe she's right, and every mosque is perpetuating jihad, and maybe I'm naive, but I hope I'm right. I just cannot imagine that there were actually terrorist training camps in the California dessert and the FBI didn't do anything about it.
So, it was a very interesting read, and I'm grateful for all she has done, but I think some of it has to be taken with a grain of salt.
So, it was a very interesting read, and I'm grateful for all she has done, but I think some of it has to be taken with a grain of salt.
September 23, 2018
This book will chill you to the bone as the anonymous author writes of her experience untangling the web of terrorist organizations and activities in the United States. She wrote this book in 2003, so lots has occurred since then and, with luck, we know more. What's frightening is the lack of communication between and within federal agencies, and how long terrorist organizations have been operating in the US.
If you want an eye opening read, check out this book. It will definitely keep you up at night.
If you want an eye opening read, check out this book. It will definitely keep you up at night.
December 18, 2017
A fascinating read!
January 13, 2019
Self absorbed! Could not finish!
October 8, 2020
I've read this book numerous times and still go back for more.
September 24, 2023
Spettacolare. Racconta la verità senza filtri, schematico, tagliente e scomodo. Andrebbe insegnato a scuola.
January 27, 2016
That a lot of people from variety of backgrounds re Islamic terrorism will read your review of “Terrorist Hunter", and then the book is my prayer to Jesus!
I pray this because the book will help the informed become convinced and the ignorant to learn that the roots of Islamic terrorism are the Holly Books of the religion and not the deeds of “a few" Islamists who are not practising “true Islam".
Islamic Jihadists are not “a few" like apologists for Islam argue. Anoymous, the brave undercover woman writer, will help you discover that these apologis include stealth Johannes within the citizenship of the US, much of the liberal North American media, and, most heinously, our political, plus catholic & protestant church, leaders at the highest levels.
She will convince you that both active and passive Jihadists are practicing true Islam and the stealth Jihadists in Muslim religious and charitable organizations, including the pulpits of mosque, are just as dangerous to your family, if not more so, than the active ones in Canada and the U.S..
She is disgusted at the ineffective anti-terrorism policies and practises of an incompetent, and moribund, FBI which allows these apologists to hide in plain sight both before 9/11 and right up to 2016 as I write this.
You'll see that she is frightened for the safety of North America Infidels because Muslims active in both active and stealth Jihad are not just “a few” radical Muslim believers. They are certainly not unless about 5 - 10% of 1.3 billion Muslims in the world is “a few“.
In addition, numerous, third parrty confidential surveys of Muslims throughout the world, including Pew Research seems to clearly confirm the number of stealth Jihadists is over 50% of many countries' Muslim populations.
Anonymous handles a complicated and scary subject in an easy to read manner from which you will go away well informed. She adroitly adds really funny stories to release the tension, regularly throughout the book.
Please read the book, become informed, and speak up.
Inform your dangerously, ignorant neigbours that when it comes to Islam, the religion …not just so-called Islamists… North American political correctness is our deadly Trojan Horse.
Write your political representatives, particularly, about the practical solutions to a seemingly endless war against Muslim terrorism this street warrior author suggests which no one in government, anywhere except maybe Iarael, is following.
Shalom to you and yours in the Name above all names,
GaryFPatton in Toronto
I pray this because the book will help the informed become convinced and the ignorant to learn that the roots of Islamic terrorism are the Holly Books of the religion and not the deeds of “a few" Islamists who are not practising “true Islam".
Islamic Jihadists are not “a few" like apologists for Islam argue. Anoymous, the brave undercover woman writer, will help you discover that these apologis include stealth Johannes within the citizenship of the US, much of the liberal North American media, and, most heinously, our political, plus catholic & protestant church, leaders at the highest levels.
She will convince you that both active and passive Jihadists are practicing true Islam and the stealth Jihadists in Muslim religious and charitable organizations, including the pulpits of mosque, are just as dangerous to your family, if not more so, than the active ones in Canada and the U.S..
She is disgusted at the ineffective anti-terrorism policies and practises of an incompetent, and moribund, FBI which allows these apologists to hide in plain sight both before 9/11 and right up to 2016 as I write this.
You'll see that she is frightened for the safety of North America Infidels because Muslims active in both active and stealth Jihad are not just “a few” radical Muslim believers. They are certainly not unless about 5 - 10% of 1.3 billion Muslims in the world is “a few“.
In addition, numerous, third parrty confidential surveys of Muslims throughout the world, including Pew Research seems to clearly confirm the number of stealth Jihadists is over 50% of many countries' Muslim populations.
Anonymous handles a complicated and scary subject in an easy to read manner from which you will go away well informed. She adroitly adds really funny stories to release the tension, regularly throughout the book.
Please read the book, become informed, and speak up.
Inform your dangerously, ignorant neigbours that when it comes to Islam, the religion …not just so-called Islamists… North American political correctness is our deadly Trojan Horse.
Write your political representatives, particularly, about the practical solutions to a seemingly endless war against Muslim terrorism this street warrior author suggests which no one in government, anywhere except maybe Iarael, is following.
Shalom to you and yours in the Name above all names,
GaryFPatton in Toronto
May 21, 2011
Very well written, she is truly an expert and has a very compelling true story to tell. At first, seeing the title, "Terrorist hunter", what came to mind was SEAL team six or even Delta Force, the story that unfolded was neither. A woman who grew up in Iraq as a Jew watched as her father taken away, learning later that he was tortured and killed. She escapes to Israel meets her future husband and together they move to the United States, hoping to leave all the chaos behind. Now you know that doesnt happen, needing work she finds a job for Middle East research. This turns out to be very good for her and very very good for the USA. Through public records she is able to track the muslim terrorist operating inside our borders and expose them, but its not that easy, especially when many in the gov't won't listen or hide what she tells them.
Well worth reading, its information on the enemy within our own culture.
Well worth reading, its information on the enemy within our own culture.
November 17, 2015
This extraordinary and chilling book is the story of a young Iraq-born Jewish woman who became a particularly effective undercover expert on American Radical Islamic groups, while also living the life of a wife and mother. As an Iraqi, fluent in Arabic, she was able to infiltrate terror groups extensively, reporting directly to various United States government agencies, including at the White House. Her story takes place in the early '90s and describes, in considerable detail, the extent of the terrorism network. Reading the details, and considering how much progress these groups surely have made in the last 20 years, is a sobering and scary experience. The book also describes some of the incredible bungling by government officials, particularly at the FBI. It is an easy, albeit painful, to read book with many 'page-turner' moments. If I could, I would have this book read by many in Washington, including the next President.
January 5, 2009
I'm stunned that this book has any good reviews at all. I can't say enough bad things about this book. There is nothing good about it. Where was the editor? This is the most poorly written piece of drivel I have ever read, EVER. It's also a load of crap. This woman has to "hunt" terrorists on her computer because the FBI and Homeland Security don't know how? She knows how to find terrorists and track their sources of money because she has a computer and speaks Arabic (though not natively), that's awesome, someone should tell the FBI and Homeland Security about these innovative tools! Maybe she can help us find Osama bin Laden. Gimme a break. She's a suburban housewife with a computer. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
October 3, 2011
This is not the best writing but clearly this woman is an expert in her field.
It is sad to read what happened to her family. Maybe the war in Iraq was initiated on false/faulty intell but after reading about what the Saddam regime did to many people including her family it makes me glad that we got Saddam Hussein and my he rot in his own hell.
I am not shocked at the actions of the FBI and other federal agencies. In the years since 9/11 we have heard of many blunderings of investigations and tips that were never followed up on. I hope that her book opened the eyes of many. But I wish her and her family the best. Thanks for what you do.
It is sad to read what happened to her family. Maybe the war in Iraq was initiated on false/faulty intell but after reading about what the Saddam regime did to many people including her family it makes me glad that we got Saddam Hussein and my he rot in his own hell.
I am not shocked at the actions of the FBI and other federal agencies. In the years since 9/11 we have heard of many blunderings of investigations and tips that were never followed up on. I hope that her book opened the eyes of many. But I wish her and her family the best. Thanks for what you do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2017
very well written for anyone who really wants to know how our nation is doing, in coming to grips with who is who in the world of islamic terrorism. The commitment of this author to her goal of unravelling who is who is astounding. My hat is off to her for this and I only wish the powers that be would be forced to read her account.
March 13, 2008
The remarkable story about a woman who escaped from Iraq (she is Jewish), immigrated to Israel, and eventually made it to the US where she was a a counter terrorist agent. Not the most 'literary' writing, but a real eye opener about how terrorists were raising money in the US.
Read
June 17, 2012An Iraqi woman goes through trials and tribulations and finally becomes an American. The first half of the book, the autobiographical portion, is the best part. The second half should have been a separate book.
January 4, 2014
The Author appears to indicate that ALL Arab all Islamic charities raise money for terrorism. For me it seems a bit to far-fetched...
I've got mixed feelings about this book... Don't know what to think, really.
I've got mixed feelings about this book... Don't know what to think, really.
March 1, 2008
so interesting...and, terrifying
October 5, 2008
Scary and informative. This is written by one amazing woman!
March 21, 2011
Fascinating.
June 7, 2013
I've read a lot of books on this topic and I really really enjoyed this one. Highly recommend it.
June 21, 2018
If half of what the author writes is true this is a very scary.
October 10, 2007
A very interesting account from an insider.
October 28, 2010
READ THIS BOOK!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews