# The Power of Nightmares **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608 "2005-01-19T20:29:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gaius.Cornelius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gaius.Cornelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaius.Cornelius)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/1 "2005-01-19T20:29:34Z")
In the UK, the BBC is reshowing the three part series [The Power Of Nightmares](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/3755686.stm). There is a review [here](http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1207-26.htm). The series was first shown in the UK just before the US presidential elections and I guess it has been seen world wide by now. I find this alternative view of recent history facinating, where best can I find out more about there, no doubt controversial, points of view? ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/2 "2005-01-19T23:42:22Z")
Jason Burke features as a key talking head in the argument of the third episode and, while surely hardly the final word on the topic, his _Al-Qaeda_ (2003; Penguin, 2004) is his own take on the history of radical Islam. It’s worth noting that, in print, Burke actually disagrees with a central part of Curtis’ version of events: he argues that the US was careful not to fund bin Laden and his allies during the anti-Soviet rebellion in Afganistan. [A non-GQ comment: Curtis’ series are always interesting and provocative, yet - from any perspective - you’re no doubt right in wanting to dig into the details behind his narrative in any of them.] ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/3 "2005-01-19T23:53:51Z")
Of course, there’s also [Cecil on Leo Strauss](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/031212.html). ---
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/4 "2005-01-20T11:06:45Z")
I just wish they (the BEEB ) would have the bollocks to show it at 8:30, BBC1, monday night, ( instead of 11:20 weekdays, as they did this and the last time ). Sin ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/5 "2005-01-20T14:27:28Z")
Anyone know if it’s available on DVD? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/6 "2005-01-20T16:48:22Z")
There’s no General Question here. I’ll move this to Cafe Society for you. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Gaius.Cornelius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gaius.Cornelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaius.Cornelius)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-nightmares/285608/7 "2005-01-20T18:24:50Z")
Thanks for all your replies, but I am still hungry for more information. Where can I find the best web-sites and/or books relating to this topic? I am sure they must exist, but I am worried about wasting my time with cranks.