The Looming Towers

I've just finished reading The Looming Towers: al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright. It's a well-written book that provides a first-rate example of what great narrative non-fiction is. It took five years to research and write and won the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction along with numerous other awards. (The list of persons interviewed by the author alone run to seven pages.)

I am overwhelmed by the stupidity that allowed the tragedy of 9/11 to happen. And tragedy it was, in the literary sense of the word. Poor interpretations of intelligence laws, petty characters, and cultural ignorance led to a preventable disaster. Given events since 2001, it is fine irony indeed that the current American president downgraded fighting terrorism in his list of priorities following his inauguration.

I wonder what new hell our actions are creating and whether the same inter-departmental walls that allowed 9/11 to occur still stand. Sadly, I bet they do.

I recommend this book.

I hope I stop seeing falling bodies in my dreams soon.

Colleen