As stated on the home-page, this is not a total guide to all research materials available, but is worthwhile in terms of pointing you (9/11 believers, critics and the curious alike) towards sources performing the following functions, in general (but not exclusively) from perspectives that are either critical of the 9/11 cult, or agnostic on the subject--in other words merely outlining facts/events without conspiracy theories in mind.  Our list is necessarily selective.  We aim to:

1) Draw attention to the deep background to 9/11, particularly the origins and nature of Al Qaeda, seen from various angles.

2) Look at the technical/narrative details of what actually happened on 9/11

3) Comment on the activities and especially arguments of the 9/11 Truth cult in broader perspective.

Where relevant, web-based resources will be cited, but a curse of the internet is that for many, if something is not on the internet, or was pre-internet, it is discounted in various ways.  Especially remiss concerning a topic where many interesting first-hand memoirs have been written, that only fleetingly, like comets, impinge on the consciousness of net-heads.   This page will be updated and extended as time goes by--suggestions welcome.  The use of three red asterisks after a source below (***) indicates that for legal reasons it is difficult/impossible to get in the UK: US booksellers are useful here.  A majority of these books (all as far as we know) seem to have been stamped on, using the UK's libel laws/the threat of them.  In every case so far, the litigious parties are powerful Saudis.  For reasons that will be obvious if you read them--even if such elementary logic has eluded the razor-blunt minds of 9/11 cultists.   

THE BACKGROUND TO 9/11

Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed 'The War on Freedom:How & Why America was Attacked 11/9/01' Tree of Life Joshua Tree California (2002) ISBN 0-930852-40-0: an important early work, placing 9/11 properly within the context of US foreign policy.  While drawing negative inferences about the lack of an adequate US military response before/on 9/11, a world away from loony-tune rubbish about pods/holograms etc.

Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed 'Subverting 'Terrorism'--Muslim Problem or Covert Operations Nightmare? Institute For Policy Development & Research Working Paper London (2006): carefully argued and meticulously referenced attempt to locate Al Qaeda as a Saudi/US construct.  Doesn't quite prove his case about Al Qaeda representing a global 'strategy of tension', but worthy of detailed study

Abdel Bari Atwan 'The Secret History of Al-Qaida'  Saqi Books London (2006) ISBN 0-86356-760-6: while weak on the subterranean links between Al-Qaeda and the CIA etc, captures well enough the reality and self-image of the network

Jean-Charles Brisard & Guillaume Dasquie 'Forbidden Truth: US-Taliban Secret Oil Diplomacy and the Failed Hunt for Bin Laden' Thunders Mouth Press/Nation Books New York (2002)  ISBN 1-56025-414-9: written by authors with extensive contacts in French intelligence, this fascinating book explores in substantiated detail the close relationship between the US government, spooks, the Taliban & Bin Laden.  Along the way some key documents, including CIA/FBI & State Department files on Bin Laden are reproduced.  As too the first ever arrest warrant on him (prompted by LIbya).  Essential source. ***

Jason Burke 'Al Qaeda: the true story of Radical Islam' Penguin London (2004) ISBN 0-141-01912-3: a mixed bag.  On the one hand, very weak on original links between Al Qaeda & the CIA, for example.  On the other, good in explaining how Al Qaeda is now a franchise, or idea, as much as solid network.  In that sense, the banner can be (is) taken up by many with no formal connection to Bin Laden/his lieutenants.

Steve Coll 'Ghost Wars--the Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan & Bin Laden, From the Soviet Invasion to September 10 2001'  Penguin London (2004) ISBN 0-141-02080-6: all the complex detail missing from Burke (for example) on this topic.  Particularly good on the complex politics of Pakistan & Afghanistan, rightly placing the latter country at the forefront of understanding Al Qaeda

John K Cooley 'Unholy Wars: Afghanistan, America & International Terrorism' Pluto London (1999) ISBN 0-7453-1328-0: another essential source, all the more so in that Cooley outlines the woeful consequences of US covert foreign policy, in alliance with the Saudis, before 9/11 itself.  Hence, he cannot be accused of merely being wise after the event.

Peter Dale Scott '9/11 in Historical Perspective: Flawed Assumptions': Briefing for US Congressional Staff (2005): concise (perhaps overly so) attempt to remind decision-makers of US role in Al Qaeda creation