"The Looming Tower" traces the rise of al-Qaeda and the miscalculations of Western intelligence agencies that preluded the tragic 9/11 attacks. Award-winning journalist Lawrence Wright provides a meticulous account, interlacing the narratives of key individuals including Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and FBI's John O'Neill. This comprehensive history sheds light on the complexities of modern Islam, the intricate lives of the men behind al-Qaeda, and the fateful ignorance by intelligence agencies. It is a profound exploration of the events and ideologies that shaped the early 21st century.