Very well made documentary well structured on the motive and evolution of terrorism.It gives a number of interesting reasons and explanation of the world and the history and the social problems that produced the individuals that participate in such organizations.It almost gives a real and human aspect to them.The idea of how a human being is transformed into becoming such a type of murderer.Although it must be said that it leaves out a very important aspect.The responsibility of the Western countries on the creation of the circumstances leading to the rise and influence of terrorist organizations.Granted of course that the subject of the movie is not centered on that aspect, so it is quite understandable that it is not analyzed that much.One though has to explore Western intervention, alongside the events depicted in this movie, to have a more complete picture on the subject.Lastly I don't really see why some see this as giving a bad name about Islam...It just analyzes the motive of RADICAL Islamists.It never even crossed my mind that this movie attacks Islam, before i actually saw someone commenting on it.And I still think it is not.It comments on RADICAL movements and I don't really think anyone in the right mind can really confuse typical Muslims with the radical sects of Islam that are depicted here.Unless of course he is a complete idiot....

I can't call this film "riveting" or "eye-opening". It is low-tone and most of its information is hardly surprising to me. But I am more interested in politics than most other people. However, don't listen to the extremists form both sides when they accuse this documentary of "lies". Yes, if you are a Koran-burner or a Bin Laden fan, the facts in this film will make you mad and you will want to burn some more Korans or more American/Israeli flags or Danish cartoonists or KFC outlets, but normal people will recognize that this film is truthful.I checked main facts from this documentary against other sources, and all of them were confirmed. This film correctly explains the jihadist mindset of the Islamic extremists and the feeling of "humiliation" that many in the Islamic world feel towards the more economically, socially, and technologically successful western countries; and equally correctly explains why Americans should never allow our leaders to abandon our democratic values under the pretext of "fighting terror". This film explains why its not only immoral but also bad policy to keep invading foreign countries, to torture prisoners, to suspend civil liberties etc, as this only feeds the resentment in the Islamic world. After this film one gets a desire to join the Libertarian Party.

Anyone who thinks that this documentary paints a pejorative picture of Islam or is just propaganda more than likely is already looking at it with preconceived notions. It is a documentary that EVERY THINKING PERSON should see, and I suggest that you see it more than once. It is NOT a condemnation of Islam. It is NOT a western propagandist platform. It is NOT a U.S. bashing "leftist rant". It IS one man's take on the organization we have come to know as Al-Qaeda and it's role in fomenting terrorism worldwide. It is a MUST SEE for any thinking person who is capable of analytical thinking.. no matter which side of the religious fence you fall on. I happen to be an American born Christian and I found the film to be thought provoking on many levels.

This documentary is nothing but full of lies. Some of the stuff is totally unbelievable. I taught in Middle east as well but people there are no where near bad or the way he mentioned. We have Madrisa's in UK as well and where students go and study Islam. And they are as normal as anyone else... I am sorry to say but Lawrence Wright's got it all twisted and it seems like he is assuming stuff and working on some Propaganda.Information is totally false and biased, its really shame that this guy taught and lived in middle east for so long and still could not understand real Islam and people of Islam.