“Gentlemen, at this very moment, there are Al Qaeda forces that are training to kill you and your Marines. They train high up in the oxygen-depleted mountains of Afghanistan, and if you think our training is hard, then try hauling a PKM (Soviet-style, medium machine gun) up to 12,000 feet, in bare feet over rocky terrain – oh, and at night without NVG’s.”
I can’t tell you how many times I heard that comment during my four years in the Marine Corps – which included a seven month hunting trip to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province – but it was a lot. And it was motivating. Little did I know however, was that this quote was actually legitimate; it’s not that I thought it wasn’t true, but you know how things can be exaggerated. I uncovered the truth just a few short weeks ago as I finished up maybe the most thrilling spy story I have ever read: Inside the Jihad – My Life with Al Qaeda, by Omar Nasiri. It is the jaw-dropping story of a former spy that infiltrated the most dangerous terrorist organization on the planet, and lived to tell about it. And this is a post telling you to go get this book – as in right now.
Inside the Jihad: My Life with Al Qaeda Book Review
When I first read the synopsis on Amazon for Inside the Jihad, I almost didn’t buy it (which I bought used for like $2.00, btw!) – but I sure am glad I did. What was my cause for concern? Having been in Afghanistan, my initial hope was that this was a story that occurred post 9/11, or September 11th, 2001; however, when I realized that this true story took place – at least the majority of it – prior to 9/11, I started to hesitate on whether or not it would be worth it. The end result: it is arguably the best $2.00 I have ever spent, because I don’t care what Robert Ludlum novel you throw at me (they are all exceptional) – Omar Nasiri’s book will trump it. You know why? Because it’s non-fiction, as in true.
Omar Nasiri = James Bond + Definition of Courage
Although the author – Omar Nasiri is of course not his real name – begins his story with his youth growing up in Morocco, and ends it with infiltrating terrorist affiliate cells in Europe, it was his gripping experience when he trained in the highly secretive, Al Qaeda training camps deep in the mountains of Afghanistan that really took this book to an elite level of suspense. As I mentioned earlier, it was common knowledge after 9/11 turned our country upside down that Al Qaeda, and the Jihadist forces in Afghanistan were training and fighting at high altitudes, and in extremely austere conditions. Even with that in mind, this portion of the book was absolutely incredible to read: just as a Marine squad leader or infantry platoon would hike 10-20 miles with 100 pounds of gear in preparation for a combat deployment to Afghanistan, the insurgents at these training camps – which included our insanely brave spy Omar – were not only doing the same thing, but they were doing it – and this is no joke – at much higher elevations, with much less oxygen, and with often times bare feet. I thought I had some bad foot blisters after some long humps with my sniper platoon, but running up and down mountains at night with bare feet over nothing but jagged rocks, just so “they can learn how to move completely silent” is just insane.
Inside the Jihad is an absolute must read, and not just for anyone who enjoys a good spy thriller or suspense story – the spy currently known as Omar Nasiri provides a legitimate inside look into how Al Qaeda trained, and that is something that every American should read. It will be the best $2.00 you’ve ever spent – I guarantee it.
More book reviews coming soon – don’t forget to hit up our Read category for plenty more that are already live on SQ!
Is that your copy – not bad for 2 bucks. i’ll have to check this one out on my kindle