For over half a century, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri repeatedly emerged from the shadows as a vengeful ideologue hell-bent on changing history. Dr. Sajjan M. Gohel provides the first definitive account of one of the world's most wanted terrorists. Having grown up in an illustrious Egyptian family of physicians, lawyers, clergy, and politicians, al-Zawahiri was originally destined to become a successful doctor. However, he chose to rebel against his own society which he deemed to have deviated from its religious identity. By forming his own terrorist group, al-Zawahiri dedicated his life to sedition and violent rebellion against the international order. Ayman al-Zawahiri led a life incomparable to anyone else. The Egyptian found himself in many of the places where history was being determined. His journey takes us across Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the United States and Russia. Through his close bond with Osama bin Laden, al-Zawahiri played a critical role in the evolution of al-Qaeda's ideology, recruitment, tactics, and strategy. With the deft touch of a teacher, al-Zawahiri delegated numerous murderous assignments globally. He engaged in the assassination of political leaders, sought to develop chemical and biological weapons, recruited double and triple agents, turned the tables on his enemies, and pioneered the use of new media technology to convey al-Qaeda's zealotry. In 2011, al-Zawahiri succeeded bin Laden, to become the head of al-Qaeda and sought to rebuild and reform his organisation whilst being aided by murky ties in Pakistan and Iran and his Taliban allies. Against the background of the Arab Spring and the West's departure from Afghanistan, al-Zawahiri left a deadly legacy for al-Qaeda's future for years to come.

About the Author
Sajjan M. Gohel is International Security Director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation. He's also Visiting Teacher at the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) and Chairman of NATO DEEP's Global Threats Analysis Group (GTAG).

Reviews
Ayman al-Zawahiri is the essential figure in understanding the rise of al-Qaeda and its persistence beyond the death of its leader. Sometimes described as the 'brains' behind Osama bin Laden, he may best be thought of as the glue that held this fractious organization together, however imperfectly. His talents and failings are amply described by Sajjan Gohel in this important and compelling account. * Lawrence Wright, Author of The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and The Road to 9/11 *
For a half century Ayman al-Zawahiri was the ideological brains of the global jihadist movement. This illuminating biography brilliantly tells the story of the Egyptian terrorist. Exceptionally well researched, this book travels from the assassination of Anwar Sadat to the fall of Kabul. It is essential reading for anyone interested in transnational terrorism and al-Qaeda. * Bruce Riedel, Brookings Institution, and author of The Search For al-Qaeda *
In this scholarly and accessible book, Sajjan Gohel brings to life the tale of one of the world's most notorious terrorists. Al-Zawahiri's story has never been better told. * Tim Marshall, Author of Prisoners of Geography *
It has been said that 'all history is biography'. There is much truth in this when it comes to the history of Al-Qaeda. Sajjan Gohel's masterful biography of Ayman al-Zawahiri- who served for over five decades at the core of global jihadism- offers an original interpretation, based on a wealth of new sources, that will become required reading for students of terrorism. * Alex P. Schmid, Director of the Terrorism Research Initiative *
Gohel's detailed history of al-Zawahiri, interwoven with the story of al-Qaeda, is well-researched and insightful. A great contribution to the field of terrorism studies. * James J.F. Forest, Editor-in-Chief of Perspectives on Terrorism, author of Digital Influence Mercenaries *



Book Information
ISBN 9780197665367
Author Sajjan M. Gohel
Format Hardback
Page Count 544
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 163mm * 241mm * 32mm