I just finished reading this book. The book is about the 1979 extremist take over of the Grand Msoque in Mecca It is pretty good although there are some mistakes that someone not that familiar with Islam might not catch. For example, at one point the author mentions that men not wearing gold or silk is a sign of extremism, this despite the fact that it is a well known prohibition followed by all practising Muslim men, extremist or not.

Some would contend with things treated as facts by this book. The author contends that no Western troops took part in the combat in Mecca whereas others, including those in my wife's family from Mecca, contend Western troops did see combat in the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Also of interest, I was unaware of the fact that two African Americans took part in the Sunni extremist take over the mosque. I had never heard of that before. One was killed in the fighting and the other was captured and later released by Saudi authorities. In his case the American passport kept him from loosing his head like the vast majority of the others did.