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11160 Viers Mill Rd, Ste L-15 #298 Silver Spring, MD. 20902 Assalaamu Alaikum (Greetings of Peace): On April 22, 2004, I gave an address at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. My lecture was titled, "The Changing Face of America: For Better or For Worse." In the course of my address I referenced a number of books which I recommended that the attendees to read. (I also promised to send the list out over the net). Since my visit I've received a number of inquiries about the list; please pardon my delay in getting it out. (And do note that I've added a couple of additional titles to the original list). To the FBI agents who preceded me to Bethlehem (and created a bit of consternation in some of the organizers), I would advise you to also peruse these books; it could have a beneficial effect on your work and overall world view. El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan BOOKS WE RECOMMEND (in alphabetical order) Blaming America First: Inside the Hatred of the United States in the Middle East and Beyond, by Laura Blake, Phd. This thought-provoking book takes the reader on an exploration into the geo-political realm of cause and effect. As Graham E. Fuller (former vice-chairman of the Natl. Intelligence Council at the CIA) has stated, âMuslims donât hate us or our political values, they want to experience those values in their own lives. Unfortunately, our foreign policy has put democratization at the bottom of the priority list in favor of the more immediate needs for energy, unlimited support for Israel, and the false security of stability via dictatorship.â Blaming America First is an excellent read for anyone hoping to understand the climate of anti-Americanism that has begun to sweep the world. (United Association For Studies and Research, 117 pgs) Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra Secret National Security Agency, by James Bamford Body of Secrets takes the reader into the inner sanctum of Americaâs spy world, with special focus on what has been described as âthe worldâs most powerful, most far reaching espionage organization,â the National Security Agency (NSA). One of the most revealing inclusions in this eye-opening book is the narration of a conspiracy - hatched at the highest levels of the US Military establishment - to commit acts of terrorism in American cities in order to facilitate an attack against the sovereign state of Cuba. While the conspiracy never achieved fruition, the mere fact that it was conceived and seriously considered (and further, that the conspirators were never sanctioned) reveals much about America âs political establishment and its military-industrial complex, and how far they are willing to go in pursuit of ânational security interests.â (Anchor Books, 763 pgs) Breaking Ranks, by Ronit Chacham This book comprises a series of âmoving and provocative conversationsâ of nine members of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) who disobeyed orders to serve militarily in the West Bank and Gaza. The âRefuseniks,â as they are called explain the reasons behind their moral decision against the backdrop of what is perhaps the most volatile and long standing conflict in the world. (Other Press, 153 pgs) Enemy Aliens, by David Cole David Cole, a professor of law at the Georgetown University Law Center, is one of the leading voices in defense of civil liberties in America today. In this thought-provoking book the reader gains valuable insight - through Coleâs constitutional acumen and personal litigation experience - into the threat to constitutional freedoms posed by the so-called âwar on terrorism.â (The New Press, 315 pgs) Live from Death Row, by Mumia Abu Jamal Live from Death Row comprises the insightful, searing, indeed thought-provoking commentaries of award winning journalist - and world renown US political prisoner â Mumia Abu-Jamal. A must read for anyone hoping to understand Americaâ s disturbing history of [un]equal justice under the law. (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co, 215 pgs) My Life As A Radical Lawyer, William M. Kunstler Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark describes this 400 page book thusly: â As an adventure in civil rights, dissent, and political violence when addressed by American courts this past third of a century, Bill Kunstlerâs life is unsurpassed. He has been the most active and passionate actor in this great drama. Here is our chance to see these turbulent times as Bill Kunstler saw them. Donât miss it.â As history is cyclical, this book (publ. 1994) provides valuable insight into some of the madness going on in America right now. In fact, there is a chapter in the book entitled, âThe Despised Muslim.â (Birch Lane Press, 414 pgs) The Message of Rachel Corrie, by Mauriâ Saalakhan This substantive little book sheds light on some of the reasons why a courageous 23 year old American citizen felt the need to put her life (literally) on the line, in a strange land thousands of miles away, and undercores the deeper significance of her sacrifice. As one reader noted in a letter to the author, âI must also confess to feeling almost a sense of embarrassment for having allowed myself to view the Arab-Israeli conflict through a distorted lens for so many years. I will never be the same, and I have you and the incredible sacrifice made by this courageous young woman to thank for opening my eyes.â (The Peace And Justice Foundation, 64 pgs) âThe Arrogance Of Power,â and âThe Price Of Empire,â by J. William Fulbright The late Senator J. William Fulbright chaired the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and through this prestigious political post gained valuable insights into the âtwo Americas.â In The Arrogance of Power he correctly observed: âThere are two Americasââ The Price of Empire picks up where the Arrogance of Power leaves off â examining, and offering valuable insights on some of the truly revealing and provocative post World War II debates on US foreign relations and national priorities. In this illuminating book, published in 1989, Fulbright questions Americaâs high military spending, its overextension abroad, and its neglect of pressing social and economic needs at home. (Pantheon Books, 242 pgs) The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions about the Bush Administration and 9/11, by David Ray Griffin The title says it all. In the words of Howard Zinn (author of A Peopleâs History of the United States), this book represents, âThe most persuasive argument I have seen for further investigation of the Bush Administrationâs relationship to that historic and troubling event.â (Olive Branch Press, 214 pgs) The State of the Union: Donât Say You Didnât Know! by Mauriâ Saalakhan At the conclusion of the constitutional convention of 1789, Benjamin Franklin was asked, âWhat have you wrought?â His response, âA republic, if you can keep it.â The State of the Union examines some of the internal threats to our â republicanâ [or âconstitutionalâ] form of government â and endeavors to explore that very important question, Can we keep it? âAn excellent handbook for gaining a better understanding of Post 9/11 America.â (The Peace And Justice Foundation, 109 pgs) The War On Islam, by Enver Masud Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, âI know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind, and real freedom of discussion as in America.â The fact that this remains an unfortunate truth in America, more than a century later, is largely attributable to the pervasive, but not always constructive, influence of mainstream media. The War On Islam provides valuable perspectives generally missing from the major news media (both print and broadcast) â from the âGulf Warâ of 1991 to the âshock and aweâ of 2003. This book is a must read. (The Wisdom Fund, 253 pgs) Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA 1981-1987, by Bob Woodward In this book published in 1987, using hundreds of inside sources and secret documents, Washington Post executive Bob Woodward pieced together an unparalleled account of the CIA, its [then] director William J. Casey, and the United States government. The United States of America, under President Ronald Reagan, engaged in covert acts of state sponsored terrorism in different parts of the world, more often-than-not in the name of ânational security,â or the fight against communism. For more accurate perspective on who Ronald Wilson Reagan really was, this book is a must read. (Simon And Schuster, 543 pgs) |
