Knowing The Enemy Jihadist Ideology And The War On...

I chose to read Knowing the Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror written by Mary Habeck. This book attempts to educate the reader not only about the Qur’an and the Islamic faith, but it offers insight as to why nineteen men took it upon themselves to cause such agony to the United States. Many people around the world do not understand what would provoke these men to carry out a devious plot to cause so much harm to the American people. Habeck describes the history behind the Qur’an, how it has been interpreted, and how it has been used as a tool to justify the heinous acts that have occurred throughout time, primarily focusing on the events that unfolded on September 11, 2001. Habeck served as an associate professor in strategic studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies teaching courses on military history and strategic thought. She also taught American and European military history at Yale University. During 2006 to 2013, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Council on the Humanities. During 2008 to 2009 she served as the special advisor for strategic planning on the National Security Council staff. The book is divided into eight chapters. It begins by explaining the events that have occurred over time, specifically in 2011, and attempts to offer an explanation as to why they committed such violent acts. It then goes on to explain the history behind the Qur’an, the interpretations of it, who the major