Books by Jason Burke
“Burke weaves together the history of militancy in the twentieth century, the significance of 1979, and the roots of the current conflict in Syria and elsewhere.” Read more...
David Miliband, Politician
“This is a very deeply reported book but I don’t agree with its analysis of Al-Qaeda’s structure. Burke sees Al-Qaeda as more of a disorganised movement, which grew up organically in Afghanistan. I think that that is incorrect.” Read more...
The best books on Osama bin Laden
Peter Bergen, Journalist
Interviews with Jason Burke
The best books on Islamic Militancy, recommended by Jason Burke
Jason Burke, journalist and author of an acclaimed book on Al-Qaeda, tells us what he learnt about militants when he was caught in a firefight in Iraq—and suggests five books we should read to understand their motivations.
Interviews where books by Jason Burke were recommended
The best books on Osama bin Laden, recommended by Peter Bergen
Many thought that 9/11 was the start of an Al-Qaeda assault on the West, but it turned out to be Bin Laden’s Pearl Harbor – a victory that led to strategic defeat – says Peter Bergen, one of the few reporters who met the Saudi-born militant.
The best books on Global Security, recommended by Chris Abbott
Global security consultant says sending armed forces into another country based on purely moral, gut feelings of good and evil is a dangerous policy-making premise. He chooses books on Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Al Qaeda
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1
Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948
by Madeleine Albright -
2
City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World's Largest Refugee Camp
by Ben Rawlence -
3
The New Threat from Islamic Militancy
by Jason Burke -
4
Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence
by Jonathan Sacks -
5
Little Bee: A Novel
by Chris Cleave
The best books on Refugees, recommended by David Miliband
The best books on Refugees, recommended by David Miliband
One out of every 122 people in the world today is displaced by conflict. David Miliband, president of the IRC, chooses five books to help us think constructively about refugees and the causes of the current crisis.
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1
The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s
by Jason Burke -
2
How to End a Story: Collected Diaries
by Helen Garner -
3
The Boundless Deep: Young Tennyson, Science and the Crisis of Belief
by Richard Holmes -
4
Captives and Companions: A History of Slavery and the Slave Trade in the Islamic World
by Justin Marozzi -
5
Lone Wolf: Walking the Faultlines of Europe
by Adam Weymouth -
6
Electric Spark: The Enigma of Muriel Spark
by Frances Wilson
The Best Nonfiction Books: The 2025 Baillie Gifford Prize Shortlist, recommended by Robbie Millen
The Best Nonfiction Books: The 2025 Baillie Gifford Prize Shortlist, recommended by Robbie Millen
From the terrorists who came up with the idea of hijacking planes to get attention to a biography of the Scottish novelist Muriel Spark, the books in the running for this year’s Baillie Gifford Prize, as always, display a wonderful breadth. Robbie Millen, literary editor of the Times and chair of the 2025 judging panel, talks us through the shortlist of the UK’s most prestigious nonfiction book prize.
