Perfect Soldiers (book)
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Terry McDermott |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
| Parent | HarperCollins |
Perfect Soldiers: The Hijackers: Who They Were, Why They Did It (also known under the subtitle The 9/11 Hijackers: Who They Were, Why They Did It) is a 2005 publication authored by journalist Terry McDermott. This work delves into the personal histories and motivations of the 9/11 hijackers responsible for the September 11 attacks. McDermott, an investigative journalist affiliated with the Los Angeles Times, grounded much of his investigation on interviews conducted with individuals acquainted with the hijackers, alongside sources such as the 9/11 Commission Report, FBI files, and earlier testimonies. The research and composition spanned a period of three years.
Structurally, the book is divided into three main segments: detailed profiles of the hijackers, the political environment influencing them, and an exploration of the conspiracy itself. Its appendices feature significant documents including Osama bin Laden’s 1996 declaration of war against the United States and directives provided to the hijackers. Perfect Soldiers garnered praise for its comprehensive research, narrative quality, and insightful analysis, frequently cited as a distinguished contribution to literature on 9/11.
Background and publication history
Terry McDermott served as a national correspondent and investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times. His prior experience includes roles as a writing coach and reporter across several newspapers. The project required three years to complete, involving interviews with people connected to the hijackers and extensive review of official materials such as the 9/11 Commission Report and FBI records.
Released by HarperCollins in 2005, the initial edition contained 330 pages. The book’s subtitle appeared in different versions: either The Hijackers: Who They Were, Why They Did It or The 9/11 Hijackers: Who They Were, Why They Did It.
Contents
The title originates from a line in mystery author Dashiell Hammett’s novel The Dain Curse: "He was the perfect soldier: he went where you sent him stayed where you put him, and had no idea of his own to keep him from doing exactly what you told him."
In his preface, McDermott describes the September 11 attacks perpetrators as "regrettably... fairly ordinary men," highlighting that their ordinariness implies that many others like them exist. He warns that some readers may find this unsettling but emphasizes that journalism requires understanding subjects empathetically to grasp their viewpoints.
The narrative traces the emergence of militant Islamism and offers background on al-Qaeda’s formation. Following a prologue, the book is segmented into three parts titled "Soldiers," "The Engineer," and "The Plot." The "Soldiers" section profiles each hijacker individually, detailing their backgrounds, experiences in Europe, and radicalization at Hamburg’s fundamentalist Al-Quds Mosque, with special focus on Mohamed Atta, Ziad Jarrah, and Marwan al-Shehhi.
The second segment discusses the Soviet–Afghan War, the rise of the Taliban, and broader Islamic movements that contributed to al-Qaeda’s growth under Osama bin Laden. The final portion recounts the execution of the 9/11 plot. McDermott concludes that al-Qaeda’s small organizational size contributed to its success; despite numerous operational errors by terrorists, they avoided capture mainly because government agencies made even greater mistakes. The concluding chapter, titled "That Day," provides a detailed timeline of events during the attack.
Included are four appendices presenting Mohamed Atta's will, instructions given to hijackers, an abridged version of Osama bin Laden's 1996 declaration of war on America, and his 1998 statement titled "Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders."
Reception
Perfect Soldiers was met with largely favorable critiques. John Gray from the New Statesman described it as "a powerful narrative" offering one of the most credible portrayals yet of the 9/11 hijackers. Jonathan Yardley called it a "well-told, meticulously researched cautionary tale." Michiko Kakutani highlighted its "chilling portraits" of those involved, lending new depth to the concept of banality of evil. The review in Publishers Weekly applauded its lucid account of hijacker decisions alongside detailed biographies, labeling it as the first "serious study" devoted to them. While Kirkus Reviews found it a "chilling, often depressing read," it noted that McDermott did not fully clarify why the hijackers executed their mission beyond typical martyrdom rhetoric. J. Peder Zane from The Sunday News and Observer questioned whether expensive military responses were justified based on insights from this book.
Reviewers commonly praised McDermott’s investigative thoroughness and prose quality. Some noted limited detail concerning fifteen hijackers who joined later in planning stages. A critic from Sunday Oregonian regarded it as a "very good" and "definitive account," commending its attention to radicalization in Hamburg while regretting gaps regarding other operatives. Kakutani observed that depictions of figures like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and bin Laden did not exceed typical media coverage depth. Zane remarked that although some questions remain due to scarce concrete evidence, the book cautions against both overestimating and underestimating adversaries. Tom Walker from The Denver Post valued its explanations of political factors shaping those involved.
Comparisons to other works on 9/11 were generally favorable; multiple commentators singled it out as exceptional among numerous titles addressing this subject. Brian Michael Jenkins referred to it as then "the very best available," while David Garrow included it among top books on 9/11. Sharon Adam of The Jerusalem Post praised its investigative depth and insight into hijacker psychology. Andrew Armitage likened it to Ghost Wars by Steve Coll and the official 9/11 Commission report but regarded Perfect Soldiers as "the most comprehensive study yet," combining journalistic rigor with compelling storytelling.
Garrow pointed out that despite Mohamed Atta’s prominence within the group, he remained among the most enigmatic hijackers profiled; he identified the book’s strength in recounting life stories rather than drawing definitive conclusions about the attack itself. The Marine Corps Gazette recommended it for readers interested in Islamist tactics or members of U.S. Armed Forces; reviewer Youssef Aboul-Enein stated it effectively challenges preconceived ideas about Islamist militant behavior prior to suicide missions.