Perfect Enemy: The Law Enforcement Manual of Islamist Terrorism

***** Perfect Enemy: The Law Enforcement Manual of Islamist Terrorism. By Dean T. Olson; published by Charles C. Thomas Publisher, www.ccthomas.com; 455 pages; $99.95.

While the intelligence and security communities form two pillars of counterterrorism, responsibility for investigating terrorist acts and apprehending the perpetrators remains with law enforcement. The 9-11 attacks only increased investigators’ resolve to better understand the terrorist mind-set, and why they “do what they do.” In his book Perfect Enemy: The Law Enforcement Manual of Islamist Terrorism, Dean Olson provides an in-depth view of the making of a terrorist from a historical perspective.

As a veteran law enforcement officer with experience serving on a regional joint terrorism task force, Olson brings the requisite experience lacking in other texts. Eleven well-written, thoroughly sourced chapters provide a complete over view of how religious fundamentalism evolves to manifest itself in terrorism.

The text features brief synopses of the numerous terrorist groups, providing the reader a broad view of the different aspects of radical Islamic ideology. Olson clarifies several common misconceptions held by non-Muslims, specifically misunderstandings about use of the word “jihad.” He provides the reader a basic understanding of Arabic name derivation and a clear awareness of the history of the Islamic fundamentalist.