- Hardcover: 184 pages
- Publisher: Praeger Publishers Inc.,U.S. (30 Nov 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0275999890
- ISBN-13: 978-0275999896
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.7 x 1.5 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,395,411 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Olsson believes that delving into the mind of former US agent Osama and into the minds of anyone who supports his opposition to US hegemony, will help defeat terrorism. He also believes that Muslims and Arabs cheered the September 11th attacks. His insights include Osama's dark epiphany as prototype of Islamist leaders' pathological narcissism, and Osama and company's apocalyptic scenarios and rebellious group martyrdom in terror cults." -
Scitech Book News
Product Description
In "The Cult of Osama", a psychiatrist examines Osama bin Laden's early life experiences and explains, from a psychoanalytical perspective, how those created a mind filled with rage at America, as well as why his way of thinking makes him in many cases a hero to Arab and Muslim youths. "Many other writings totally demonize bin Laden, and therein strangely play into putting this troubled man onto a pedestal," writes the author. There are many journalistic, political, military and intelligence books about bin Laden and his terror cult group. But this one offers a purely psychological and psychobiographical perspective on bin Laden and his mushrooming influence. Bin Laden's destructive "Pied Piper" appeal, leading youths to murder others and even themselves in suicide missions, stems from the peculiar and profoundly important synchrony of shared trauma and pain between bin Laden and Arab/Muslim youth, argues the author.The author traces the psychological threads of narcissistic wounds and unresolved grief from Osama's childhood, including the death of his father when Osama was 10, separation from his mother even earlier, the humiliation of Osama as the "son of a slave" in his father's household, and his lifelong search for surrogate older brother and father figures among radical Islamist teachers and mentors. The author also spotlights the idea that Osama experienced "dark epiphanies" as a young adult which further magnified and focused his unresolved disappointments and narcissistic rage. The author also shows us how understanding the psychohistory and mindset of bin Laden could help prevent the development and actions of home-grown American and Western terrorists as well as their cells.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The Mind of a Terrorist
1 Jan 2008
Format:Hardcover
In Peter Olsson's first book Malignant Pied Pipers of Our Time: A Psychological Study of Destructive Cult Leaders from Rev. Jim Jones to Osama bin Laden, he takes the reader into the minds of cult leaders and skillfully points out the dynamic connection between the leader and his vulnerable followers while offering helpful advice to families who face the dilemma of extricating their loved ones from the cult.
In the Cult of Osama, Dr. Olsson draws on his psychoanalytic training, his 25 or so years of theorizing on the dynamics of charismatic leaders, and applied psychoanalytic methods to develop a feasible understanding of a man who, arguably, is the greatest cult leader of our time. Poetry by bin Laden, an interview of bin Laden by Peter Berger, and interviews of violent fundamentalists by Jessica Stern contribute to Olsson's understanding of a man who will, in all probably, never submit to a formal psychoanalysis. Consistent with his first book, Dr. Olsson offers practical advice into thoughts and actions that might address the threat of religious and political extremism. Partricularly poignant are the e-mail exchanges he has with his psychiatrist pen pal in Baghdad. This book is a worthy addition to one's library on Islam, middle eastern politics and radical fundamentalism.
In the Cult of Osama, Dr. Olsson draws on his psychoanalytic training, his 25 or so years of theorizing on the dynamics of charismatic leaders, and applied psychoanalytic methods to develop a feasible understanding of a man who, arguably, is the greatest cult leader of our time. Poetry by bin Laden, an interview of bin Laden by Peter Berger, and interviews of violent fundamentalists by Jessica Stern contribute to Olsson's understanding of a man who will, in all probably, never submit to a formal psychoanalysis. Consistent with his first book, Dr. Olsson offers practical advice into thoughts and actions that might address the threat of religious and political extremism. Partricularly poignant are the e-mail exchanges he has with his psychiatrist pen pal in Baghdad. This book is a worthy addition to one's library on Islam, middle eastern politics and radical fundamentalism.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Boeger Review
26 Jun 2008
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dear Amazon Books and customers,
I have recently finished reading Dr. Peter Olsson's fascinating book, The Cult of Osama, and would like to enthusiastically recommend it. Dr. Olsson has provided us with a rare insight into the mind of the most controversial and, many would argue, the most evil man of our time. Dr. Olsson, who has written extensively on cults, delves into what makes Osama, Osama. Filled with anecdotal evidence, we get a rare glimpse into bin Laden early life, and how his family influenced his decisions. I believe the book's strength is that, while attempting to understand bid Laden, Dr. Olsson refuses to offer these experiences as some type of excuse for his actions. Understanding does not delute the evil of the man. I found the book to be well-presented, with the lay person, like myself, in mind. Though not in the medical field myself, Dr. Olsson presents his findings in a manner that I could follow with ease. This is a must read for everyone.
Gary Boeger
Houston, Texas
I have recently finished reading Dr. Peter Olsson's fascinating book, The Cult of Osama, and would like to enthusiastically recommend it. Dr. Olsson has provided us with a rare insight into the mind of the most controversial and, many would argue, the most evil man of our time. Dr. Olsson, who has written extensively on cults, delves into what makes Osama, Osama. Filled with anecdotal evidence, we get a rare glimpse into bin Laden early life, and how his family influenced his decisions. I believe the book's strength is that, while attempting to understand bid Laden, Dr. Olsson refuses to offer these experiences as some type of excuse for his actions. Understanding does not delute the evil of the man. I found the book to be well-presented, with the lay person, like myself, in mind. Though not in the medical field myself, Dr. Olsson presents his findings in a manner that I could follow with ease. This is a must read for everyone.
Gary Boeger
Houston, Texas
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Informative Look at the Most Significant Cult Leader of Our times
14 Aug 2008
Format:Hardcover
Dr. Peter Olsson's latest book "Cult of Osama" reminds us that there is little to be gained by merely denouncing cult leaders like Bin Laden. To counteract their negative influence on others, we must first understand what makes them tick. Dr. Olsson in a very readable fashion traces the psychological background of Bin Laden from his early years which led to his preset-day influence in the Middle East and throughout the world. This is a very informative book that broadens our knowledge of cults and their often charismatic leaders.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Medical, Legal & Social Sciences > Psychology
- Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Middle East
- Books > Biography > War & Espionage > Terrorism & Freedom Fighters
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Psychology & Psychiatry > Schools of Thought > Psychoanalysis > Theory
- Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Psychology & Psychiatry > Specific Topics > The Self, Ego & Personality
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Civil Liberties & Political Activism > Political Violence > Terrorism & Freedom Fighters
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Psychology Textbooks
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
