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Okay, so I’m taking a short break from the aforementioned blitz to brag for a second on my pops, Lawrence Wright. His book on al-Qaeda came out in the US on Tuesday, and it was already Amazon’s best-selling book by the Sunday before. It stayed at number one for three days.
He’s put a tremendous amount of work into this book, starting at about 9:30AM CST on Sep 11, 2001, and still counting. And despite his seemingly cushy status as a staff writer for The New Yorker, he risked a lot of that cushiness to make this tome as comprehensive and engaging as possible. A lot of that risk’s burden has been shouldered by my mom, too, who has to be commended for supporting him not just through financial incertitude but even in the face of actual physical danger, as he gallivanted off to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan.
But the important thing is that the risks and hard work paid off. I finished the book last week, and it’s quite literally a page-turner. Dense and thorough and historical, yes, but also compelling and intense, with larger-than-life protagonists made human through well-placed quotidian details. It can be tough if you’re unfamiliar with Muslim names, and of course you already know how it all turns out. But the narrative sweeps you through to the end, and when the towers fall, it’s horrifying and heartbreaking. All over again.
The reviews have been nothing short of outstanding, too.
Go dad.
Gordon: I am your Dad’s cousin from Atlanta. Could you send me his email address.
Michael.peacock@ge.com
Hi Gordon:
I don’t see any way to get email to your Dad, so perhaps you could pass this along (if you think it would interest him).
A decade ago I was exposed to evolutionary psychology by another Wright, Robert Wright, who wrote _Moral Animal_ (any relation?).
By chance I was in a situation that called for understanding the strange modes humans can get into like those who flew 767s into the WTC.
Eventually I wrote two articles, ”Sex, Drugs, and Cults. An evolutionary psychology perspective . . . “ http://human-nature.com/nibbs/02/cults.html
And
”Evolutionary Psychology, Memes and the Origin of War”
http://www.mankindquarterly.org/summer2006_henson.html (abstract)
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2006/4/17/194059/296 (full text)
The intent is to put a evolutionary biology base under recent history such as your Dad examines in his new book.
Thanks in advance,
Keith Henson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Henson
Reflected glory is a wonderful thing Gordon – go for it! And all praise to your dad. He rocks……
…and Diana? Go write another letter to Santa Claus.
I have no idea who Diana is. Frankly, I’m a little shocked that my dad’s increased profile has actually raised the profile of my little blog so considerably.
I should, like, start posting again.
Not that anyone needs to hear praise from me when you can get it from the Times and other more reputable folks, but lord have mercy this is a barn-burner of a book. I read it in four days, and I haven’t read a proper book for months. Go Larry.
And is Diana for real? That is some funny shit.
I am currently reading The Looming Tower. I lived in Pakistan for a while until earlier this year and the way your dad portrays the country is just absolutely eloquently wonderful. He captures Peshawar so well.
Not only that but his book is a complete page turner. I am enjoying every single word of his scholarly and readable book. You must be unendingly proud.
I heard Osama has Joe and they’re hiding in Windsor.
I would like to ask your dad why over one third of the country here in the U.S. knows for a fact, due to intense investigation, that 9-11 was an inside job by Cheney and a part of Israel. Does he mention that in his book? I have not read the book yet, but am currnetly hearing him on Fresh Air. All anyone has to do is look at the evidence of the way those buildings fell, especially building 7. I am not fooled by this flase flag “War on Terror” It is all a hoax.
I came across the review in the NYTimes last week and was thrilled for your dad — rarely do you see such an unequivocally positive review! We pre-ordered it immediately from Amazon and can’t wait to read it.