Compelling and authoritative, Peter Lances masterful expose, 1000 Years For Revenge: International Terrorism and the FBI - The Untold Story, packs a sophisticated investigative punch. As an experienced litigator I understand how a persuasive case can be built from a wall of irrefutable facts. And it is precisely that meticulous assembly of literally thousands of well-documented details which Peter Lance so masterfully accomplishes in his book. As a key to help unlock the confusing mass of conflicting information on this complex topic, look no further. One caveat though: dont start on that first page until youve cleared your calendar for a few days. Yes, its that good.
How could it be that the United States of America, a world super-power, had missed the terrorist trail to 9/11? In "1,000 Years for Revenge" Peter Lance uncovers facts, connects events, and discloses a pattern of FBI behavior that together paves a glaring path to the tragedy of 9/11. His passionate presentation of material is captivating and frightening. But it is Lances gift as a compelling storyteller that makes this book read like a best selling novel. Two real American heroes are the intimate human thread around which the story unfolds and gives this book heart. Further a glossy paged timeline in the middle of the book, provides a brilliant method of distinguishing all the players by identifying each with their picture, each time their name appears. For those readers not familiar with Middle Eastern names, like me, it is an easy way to grasp the continuity of the persons over time. We should all know this story and Peter Lance tells it well.
Regarding reviewer "Disappointing". How discouraging to see a reader so missing the point of the book. I do agree with the writer that hindsight is always the easier viewpoint. I also think it true that in the area of terrorism the lack of resources and support in the 1990s for the intelligence community crippled it and left us in the dangerous position we are in now. That being said, I think the book makes a very clear argument that if individuals/agencies hadnt been so closed and inept about sharing information (both inter and intra agency) it is possible that enough common threads would have been seen that thinking individuals would have seen the alarm. Regarding Fire Marshal Bucca, I believe many of his colleagues and acquaintances were interviewed for the book and they attested to the fact that he spoke of a double pronged attack on the WTC after the 1993 bombing. Despite the current denials "that no one could predict" the WTC scenario there were many thinking individuals in the intelligence community who were aware of the risk after Ramsi Yousefs 1995 statement. For someone who was familiar with the Islamic terrorist mindset the significance and connection was very obvious. It appeared to me that this Marshals frustration was not with his profession but with the attitudes of ignorance and bias among agencies that were all sworn to protect and serve. It doesnt sound like FM Bucca would have considered himself a super sleuth but he did sound like a man trying to do his job and protect the public and his family. I would like to offer a word of thanks and encouragement to all those individuals who are working so hard to do that job now and are struggling with this difficult game of catch up. As a final thought, I hope that "Disappointing" is not currently a member of the law enforcement or intelligence community because I find his comments very disturbing. It is this type of smallness that proves the point of the book and reminds us of how far we still have to come.
