The Cult of Osama: Psychoanalyzing Bin Laden and His Magnetism for Muslim Youths (Praeger Security International)

by Peter A. Olsson MD (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0275999896

ISBN-10: 0275999890

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In The Cult of Osama, Psychiatrist Peter Olsson examines Osama bin Laden's early life experiences and explains, from a psychoanalytical perspective, how those created a mind filled with perverse rage at America, as well as why his way of thinking makes bin Laden 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, says Olsson, who spent 25 years on a social psychological and psychoanalytical study of destructive cults and cult leaders. 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, says Olsson. And we in the West neglect this topic, at our own peril.

Among the insights Olsson provides as he traces the psychological threads of narcissistic wounds and unresolved grief from Osama's childhood are 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 a surrogate older brother and father figures among radical Islamist teachers and mentors. Olsson also spotlights the idea that Osama experienced dark epiphanies as a young adult which further magnified and focused his unresolved disappointments and narcissistic rage. This psychobiography of one of the world's most notorious terrorists, written by an Assistant Professor at Dartmouth Medical School, shows how understanding the psychohistory and mindset of bin Laden could help prevent the development and actions of home-grown American and Western terrorists and their cells.

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The Cult of Osama: Psychoanalyzing Bin Laden and His Magnetism for Muslim Youths (Praeger Security International)

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Editorial Reviews

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"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

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"Both scholar and psychoanalyst, with this in-depth study Dr. Olsson paints a picture, not only of what drives Osama Bin Laden, but also of what makes young people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, susceptible to his preaching. Dr. Olsson presents an approach to understanding terrorism that adds to our ability to fight this threat to our civilization." (Althea J. Horner, Ph.D., Scientific Associate, The American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, Associate Editor, Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry.)

"It would be true enough to say that Peter Olsson has written a clinically astute and thoroughly researched book on Osama bin Laden and his zealous followers, but that would not go far enough. The Cult of Osama is in fact a gripping murder mystery on a global scale. Dr. Olsson's achievement is not only to demonstrate how Osama's life history set the stage for the unprecedented acts of terrorism on September 11, 2001, but also to demonstrate with equal authority the psychological fit between leader and followers, and further explore the process by which susceptible people are recruited and transformed into cult members. This is a work that synthesizes many fields of thought, and does so seamlessly, with a minimum of jargon." (Howard F. Stein, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)

"This exploration of Osama and his followers is an absorbing and fascinating read. The author demonstrates how the application of psychoanalytic thinking to large group phenomena and to the dark recesses of Osama's mind illuminates a matter of great urgency at a time when understanding has become essential for the world to live in harmony. I highly recommend it." (Glen O. Gabbard, M.D., Brown Foundation Chair of Psychoanalysis and Professor of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine)

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Product details

Series: Praeger Security International
Hardcover: 184 pages
Publisher: Praeger (November 30, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0275999890
ISBN-13: 978-0275999896
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,313,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6081 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Law Enforcement
- #6322 in Books > Law > Criminal Law > Law Enforcement
- #6529 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Movements > Psychoanalysis

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Boeger Review

ByPeterAOlssonMDon June 26, 2008

Format: HardcoverVerified 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

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The Mind of a Terrorist

ByRobert E. Whiteon January 1, 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.

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Informative Look at the Most Significant Cult Leader of Our times

ByD. Jansenon August 14, 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.

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