'A portrait that gives new meaning to the phrase "the banality of evil".' The New York Times
The attacks on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001 were a calamity on a scale few had imagined possible. The hijackers themselves have been caricatured in various ways by the media - as evil geniuses at one end of the scale, to deluded fanatics at the other. In reality, the 9/11 hijackers were unexceptional men. Most of the 19 hijackers were from apolitical, only mildly religious backgrounds.
Terry McDermott provides detailed portraits of the main players of the 9/11 plot, tracing the events and circumstances that led to their metamorphosis into fanatical Muslims, and helping us to reach a better understanding of what motivated them to such heinous acts of terrorism. In fundamentalist Islam, religion and politics are inseparable; they saw themselves as pilgrims, as soldiers of God.
'Meticulous research ...fascinating' Evening Standard
'Engrossing and deeply disturbing. It's taken three-plus years for a serious study of the hijackers, but the wait has been worth it.' Publishers Weekly
'A chilling read that merits attention, if only for the other "perfect soldiers" who may be waiting out there.' Kirkus Review