Black September

Black September chronicles the 1970 conflict between Palestinian guerrilla forces and the Jordanian military. The book provides first-hand accounts and reconstructed events from both sides of this pivotal but often overlooked Middle East crisis. Journalist David Tinnin draws on interviews, documents, and field research to detail the political tensions and military maneuvers that led to the confrontation. The narrative follows key figures including King Hussein of Jordan, Yasser Arafat, and various guerrilla commanders as they navigate the complex situation. The events are presented through multiple perspectives - from government offices in Amman to Palestinian refugee camps to diplomatic channels in Cairo and Washington. Tinnin's background as a Time-Life correspondent in the region allows him to provide context for the wider implications of the conflict. The book reveals how internal Arab conflicts shaped the Palestinian nationalist movement and Middle Eastern power dynamics. Through this focused examination of a single crisis point, broader patterns emerge about the relationship between state authority and revolutionary movements.

Many readers praise Tinnin's thorough research and detailed documentation of the events. Reviews highlight his straightforward writing style that makes complex political situations clear. Several readers mention the book provides context that helps connect various Middle East historical events of the period. From reviews: - "Reads like a thriller but anchored in facts" - "Fills gaps in understanding the hostage crisis" - "Balanced coverage of all sides involved" Main criticisms note some dated language and a few inconsistencies in the timeline presentation. A few readers mention wanting more background on certain key figures. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (8 ratings) Note: Limited review data available online for this 1976 book, with most ratings coming from historical research readers rather than general audience.

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🔹 The book chronicles one of the first major acts of modern terrorism - the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre where Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes, bringing international terrorism into the global spotlight. 🔹 Author David Tinnin worked as Time magazine's Middle East bureau chief, giving him unique insights and access to sources when researching the events. 🔹 Black September was published in 1976, making it one of the earliest comprehensive accounts of the Munich massacre and its aftermath, including Israel's covert retaliation operation "Wrath of God." 🔹 The Palestinian terrorist group took its name "Black September" from the September 1970 conflict when Jordan's military expelled Palestinian militant groups, resulting in thousands of deaths. 🔹 The events detailed in the book later inspired Steven Spielberg's 2005 film "Munich," though Spielberg primarily based his movie on George Jonas' book "Vengeance."