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Holy terror: Inside the world of Islamic terrorism Hardcover – January 1, 1987

by Amir Taheri (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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Book by Taheri, Amir
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  1. Print length
    332 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Adler & Adler
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1987
  5. ISBN-10
    0917561457
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0917561450
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Based on interviews, field studies and internal literature, this is a blunt survey of the history, goals and influence of Islamic fundamentalism, particularly its Iran-based terroristic dimension. Khomeini is presented as one of history's great haters, a charismatic leader whose enmity is directed at all but the strictest adherents to his Manichean interpretations of the Koran. Images of blood and death abound: the Tower of Blood, a shrine in Tehran, is characterized by a guide as "the essence of Islam's message." The book includes descriptions of the organization and training of such groups as the Brides of Blood and the Volunteers for Martyrdom. Taheri calls the Ayatollah's Holy Terror "little more than a hodgepodge of medieval thought and methods borrowed from fascism and communism" and scathingly remarks that death is its highest and noblest goal since it is unable to offer a life worth living. Taheri is the author of The Spirit of Allah.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Taheri is the former editor of Iran's largest paper. Yet he is no advocate of Iran's revolution, but rather lays bare the fundamental dynamics and goals of the Ayatollah. He examines the instrument of terroruse of violence against the enemies of Islam and for coercion within Iranto achieve the expansion of Islam. In this quest the enemy has no worth and all means are justified. The picture Taheri paints of Iran and its posture toward the West is bleak, offering little hope for uncovering common interests. His book's value is in revealing the comprehensive nature of fundamental Islam and its acceptance and systematic use of violence. Richard B. Finnegan , Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Adler & Adler; First US Edition. (January 1, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0917561457
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0917561450
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

About the author

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Amir Taheri

Amir Taheri

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Amir Taheri was born in Ahvaz, southwest Iran, and educated in Tehran London and Paris. He joined Kayhan International, Tehran's English daily newspaper in 1968 as an opera critic and then cultural correspondent. A year later he was appointed Diplomatic Correspondent and in 1971 became the paper's Political Editor.

In 1972 he was appointed Executive Editor-in-Chief of the Persian language daily Kayhan, Iran's largest newspaper, a post he held until the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Since then he has edited a number of newspapers and magazines in France and Britain and contributed to many leading publications in Europe, the United States and the Middle East. His columns are published by many newspapers across the globe.

In four decades of journalism, Taheri has interviewed many of the world's political leaders and cultural and artistic icons. He has also published 11 books on Islam, Iran, the Soviet Union, and the Middle East.

Taheri was a member of the Executive Board of the Institute for International Political and Economic Studies (IIPES)for four years during which he helped organise a number of seminars on the Persian Gulf and Iran's political developments.

Taheri was a member of the Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI) for eight years and a campiagner for press freedom across the globe. He also served on the Executive Board of the Reporters sans Frontieres for three years. He has been a Senior Fellow at the National Committee for American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) since 2002 and Director of its Middle East Project.

Over the past two decades Taheri has emerged as a leading participant in the debate taking place within the world of Islam. A frequent traveler to Muslim countries, Taheri has lectured in many universities, research institutes and political and cultural clubs, offering his ideas for reforming Islam and helping it come to terms with modernity.

Since 1982, Taheri has lived in Paris and London, with frequent and at times lengthy visits to the Middle East.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
8 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Pierre Benedile
5.0 out of 5 stars ISLAM IS NOT CHIRSTIANITY
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2002
" Islam is not Christianity. It is not the religion of offering the other cheek to the aggressor. Islam is the religion of agitation, revolution, blood, liberation and martyrdom."
This quote from the late Ayatollah Morteza Motahari, one of he brains behind the Khomeinist revolution in Iran is a graphic definition of what the world now faces in the form of Islamist terror.
This is one of many quotes, some of them running into several pages, that the author of this book offers in a bid to provide a direct understanding of the phenomenon. The reader gets a rare chance of directly hearing from those who preach fire and brimstone against non-Muslims.
The Islamist is persuaded that he must not accept peace until he has conquered the whole world for " The Only True Faith". He is ready to kill and to die in order to save mankind from what he regards as " jahiliah" or ignorance.All this he does with the best of intentions.
Islam means submission to the Will of Allah , as revealed in the Quran, the Divine Book. Anyone who resfues such submission is a Taghut or rebel against Allah and must be converted or put to death.
Taheri's book is a fast-paced narrative written by a talented journalist who observed many of the violent events he describes.
At the same time, however, the book is based on solId historical and political research. Thus one can read it either as an extended reportage about Islamist terrorism , or as an introduction to a religion, culture and civilisation that covers more than 1000 million people throughout the world.
" Holy Terror" was originally published many years ago. I found a paperback edition only recently.
What is remarkable is that, apart from some details, it has not dated. The Islamic Republic in Iran still features prominently on the list of states sponsoring international terror. And the number of Islamist terror organisation has, if anything increased. President George W Bush's " War on Terror" has so far not even scratched the surface.
Anyone who wants to know how people like Osama Bin Laden are produced in the Islamic world should read this fascinating book.
Pierre Benedile
17 people found this helpful
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Sir Lancelot
4.0 out of 5 stars The Legacy of Jihad: Holy Terror
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2016
As one who has studied Islam and lived studied and traveled throughout the Middle East I came across Mr. Taheri's work "Holy Terror" at a book fair. Of course after reading many works by Islamic and non-Islamic scholars, and/or "scholars", alike the title sparked my interest.
For the future readers the author deals with "modern" Jihad from a Shi'iah perspective; Hizbollah and Iran specifically. After reading the work, which is a very good work in deed, I feel the author should have chosen the title "Jihad" or "Islam and Jihad".
Although the author gives numerous examples of learned; modern and historical, Islamic authorities/scholars specifically relating Jihad to Islam from the teachings of Muhammad (displayed throughout the Islamic texts: Qur'an, Sunnah and the various Hadith) and through the deeds of Muhammad. A man who partook in over 20, as well sanctioning some 70 more, Jihad campaigns of murderous conquest, rape, murder and plunder; also well outlined within the Islam's holy texts and well grounded in Islam's theo-political jurisprudence: Sharia.
Due to the fact that Jihad is obligatory within Islam for all Muhammadans to partake should one really be shocked when a follower of Muhammad actually embraces Jihad? After all Muhammad was, first and foremost, a Jihadist and a prophet second; though historically speaking the former came before the latter.
I had to rate this work 4 stars because of the authors research and outlining the numerous fairly modern Shi'iah backed Jihad specifically due to the modern multi-culti narrative specifically lays Jihad on, not Islam itself but, the Orthodox Sunni "Wahabbi" sect? Of course this is utter bunk due to the fact that Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703–1792) may well have propagated an Orthodox overt form of Islam, where the need for Jihad was obligatory to/for all Muhammadans however he was only teaching Islam as per the Islamic texts and through the actual deeds of the founder Muhammad ever since the Jews turned him away as a false prophet and the Nakhla Raids of 623.
What I did find suspect was, with the numerous Islam inspired/founded examples the author calls any Muslim that engages in Jihad terrorism as "Fundamentalist" and the like. The fact remains that Muhammad was, in fact, a fundamentalist in both word and deed....
This was the only specific "flaw" that came to mind - the distancing Jihad from the Muhammadan and Muhammadanism.
Andrew Bostom has a fabulous and in-depth work on this subject called "The Legacy of Jihad".
Enjoy...
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S.Deldar
5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK ON ISLAMIC TERORRISM
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2009
Published almost 20 years ago for the first time, this book remains the best essay on Islamic terrorism available in English. The names of those active in Islamic terorr these days may be different but the ideology that inspires and sustains them is the same exposed in this book.
It might sound exaggerated but I believe that had our leaders read this book with enough care many of the recent tragedies, including the 9/11 attacks, produced by Islamic terror could have been avoided.
This book is both an exciting read and an educational course in a difficult but topical subject.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2017
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Met my expectatipns and delivered in good time.
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