The Big Bamboozle by Philip Marshall: Unraveling 9/11’s Hidden stories in a Post-Truth World

Published: June 2, 2025 | Author: RB Maxwell | Category: Nonfiction Book Reviews, 9/11 Conspiracy, Propaganda

Welcome to the latest installment of my Books As Brain Grenades #MATA Make America Think Again blog series. 

This week, I’m diving into The Big Bamboozle: 9/11 and the War on Terror by Philip Marshall, a provocative exposé that challenges the official narrative of September 11, 2001. 

As a thriller author who weaves “conspiracy” theories and propaganda into fictional stories, I found this book to be a mind-blowing grenade that shatters assumptions about 9/11 and its aftermath. If you’re ready to question the “war on terror” and explore Saudi Arabia’s alleged role, buckle up for this overview and head to www.RBMaxwellbooks.com for more brain grenades.

Overview of The Big Bamboozle

The Big Bamboozle (2012) by the late Philip Marshall, a former airline captain and government contract pilot, is a bold investigation into the 9/11 attacks, arguing they were a Saudi Arabian intelligence operation covered up by the Bush administration. Curiously, (or perhaps not so) Mr Marshall and his family were “unalived” shortly after publication,

Leveraging his aviation expertise and access to official reports, Marshall dissects the hijackers’ training, the tactical brilliance of the attacks, and the subsequent rush to war. Drawing from the 2002 Congressional Joint Inquiry, he alleges Saudi agents funded and guided the hijackers, while the U.S. Intelligence Community obscured the truth, pinning blame on Osama bin Laden.

The book unfolds like a thriller, blending technical analysis (e.g., NTSB and FAA data) with political intrigue. Marshall structures his argument across 54 chapters, covering:

• The Saudi Connection: Evidence of Saudi intelligence agents supporting hijackers in the U.S., including funding and flight training in Arizona.

• Bush Administration Cover-Up: Claims Vice President Dick Cheney and CIA operatives redacted key Inquiry findings and fabricated bin Laden’s role.

• Tactical Plan Analysis: Detailed breakdown of the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the hijackers’ Boeing proficiency and strategic timing.

• Post-9/11 Fallout: How 9/11 enabled a “silent revolution,” empowering the Intelligence Community and Wall Street at the expense of democracy.

Marshall’s narrative is gripping but polarizing, appealing to readers skeptical of official narratives. His call to action—demanding a trial for alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM)—urges readers to reclaim justice.

Keywords: The Big Bamboozle, Philip Marshall, 9/11 conspiracy, Saudi Arabia 9/11, Bush cover-up, propaganda, war on terror, critical thinking, Intelligence Community.

Summary of Key Themes and Insights

The Big Bamboozle is a provocative blend of aviation expertise and conspiracy theory, centered on these themes:

• Saudi Arabia’s Alleged Role: Marshall cites the Congressional Joint Inquiry’s findings that Saudi agents, like Omar al-Bayoumi, provided logistical and financial support to hijackers, with funds traced to Prince Bandar bin Sultan, a Bush ally. He argues this was a deliberate operation, obscured by redactions.

• Intelligence Community Manipulation: The book claims the Bush administration, led by Cheney and CIA assets like Porter Goss, suppressed evidence and fabricated bin Laden’s role to justify wars and domestic surveillance (e.g., Patriot Act).

• Aviation Precision: As a Boeing 767 captain, Marshall analyzes the hijackers’ flight maneuvers, arguing their skill (e.g., precise targeting of the World Trade Center) required advanced training, likely from Saudi aviation experts, not al-Qaeda.

• Propaganda and Media Complicity: Marshall accuses media outlets like Fox News and NBC of spreading disinformation, citing examples like Pete Williams’ fear-mongering reports about “body bombs.”

• Erosion of Democracy: Post-9/11 policies (e.g., DHS creation, TSA overreach) are framed as a “coup” by the Intelligence Community, undermining constitutional freedoms.

Marshall’s strength is his insider perspective, using flight data and FBI reports to build a compelling case, though some argue his claims about a vast conspiracy involving Cheney and Wall Street lack definitive proof, risking dismissal as speculative. Still, the book’s detailed sourcing and urgent tone make it a thought-provoking read for “conspiracy” enthusiasts.

Keywords: 9/11 Saudi connection, Intelligence Community cover-up, aviation analysis 9/11, media propaganda, Patriot Act, conspiracy theories 2025, Bush administration.

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”

– Oscar Wilde

Why The Big Bamboozle Is Still Relevant in 2025

Despite being published in 2012, The Big Bamboozle resonates in 2025 for several reasons:

• Persistent 9/11 Questions: Declassified documents and ongoing lawsuits against Saudi Arabia (e.g., 9/11 families’ litigation) keep Marshall’s claims relevant. The 2024 release of redacted Inquiry pages supports his Saudi allegations, fueling public skepticism.

• Propaganda in the Digital Age: With misinformation rampant on platforms like X and TikTok, Marshall’s critique of media manipulation echoes 2025’s debates over “fake news” and algorithmic bias, especially in election cycles.

• Surveillance State Growth: The Patriot Act’s legacy—mass data collection, as exposed in Means of Control (my previous post)—continues to erode privacy. Marshall’s warnings about DHS and TSA overreach align with 2025’s AI-driven surveillance concerns.

• Geopolitical Tensions: U.S.-Saudi relations remain complex, with oil markets and Middle East conflicts under scrutiny. Marshall’s focus on Saudi funding ties to 2025’s energy and security debates.

• Demand for Transparency: Marshall’s call for KSM’s trial reflects 2025’s push for government accountability, as seen in movements like #MATA Make America Think Again, urging citizens to question official narratives.

In a post-truth era, The Big Bamboozle challenges readers to think critically about 9/11’s legacy and the powers shaping our world. It’s a rallying cry for truth-seekers in a surveillance-saturated 2025.

Keywords: 9/11 lawsuits 2025, media manipulation, surveillance state 2025, U.S.-Saudi relations, transparency in government, post-truth era, #MATA.

More Recommended Reading for Curious Minds

If The Big Bamboozle sparked your interest in 9/11, propaganda, and conspiracies, here are a few related books to explore:

Alice in Wonderland and the World Trade Center Disaster by David Icke (2002).

Why Read It: A provocative text that challenges the official 9/11 narrative, asserting it to be a “monumental lie.” Icke’s signature conspiracy-heavy style pushes readers to question authority and media framing.
Themes: False flag operations, media deception, elite control.

Crossing the Rubicon by Michael C. Ruppert (2004)

Why Read It: Dubbed the “Godfather of 9/11 research,” Ruppert connects the dots between the 9/11 attacks and global oil interests. It’s a cornerstone for understanding how geopolitics and energy policy intersect.
Themes: Peak oil, deep state, geopolitical strategy.

The 9/11 Mystery Plane by Mark Gaffney (2008)

Why Read It: Explores the presence of the E-4B military command plane over D.C. on 9/11. Gaffney uses photographic evidence and insider analysis to raise questions about military coordination and covert operations.
Themes: Military secrecy, covert operations, alternate 9/11 timelines.

Extreme Prejudice by Susan Lindauer (2010)

Why Read It: Written by a former U.S. intelligence asset, this insider account alleges government deception around 9/11 and the Iraq War. It blends personal narrative with classified details.
Themes: Intelligence cover-ups, pre-war planning, media suppression.

Where Did the Towers Go? by Judy D. Wood (2010)

Why Read It: Challenges conventional theories of the towers’ destruction by introducing alternative physics and the controversial Hutchison Effect. A deep dive into forensic anomalies.
Themes: Unexplained phenomena, structural anomalies, scientific dissent.

The Mysterious Collapse of World Trade Center 7 by David Ray Griffin (2010)

Why Read It: Focuses on the lesser-known collapse of WTC 7, which wasn’t hit by a plane. Griffin examines contradictions in the official reports and promotes scientific inquiry.
Themes: Building collapse, official narratives, scientific accountability.

Keywords: 9/11 books, conspiracy nonfiction, Saudi Arabia books, propaganda reading, Intelligence Community exposés, critical thinking books.

Some Final Thoughts

The Big Bamboozle is a brain grenade that detonates the official 9/11 narrative, urging readers to question Saudi involvement, media propaganda, and Intelligence Community power grabs. Philip Marshall’s aviation expertise and bold claims make this a must-read, though its speculative leaps require discernment. In 2025, as we grapple with surveillance and misinformation, this book is a call to #MATA—Make America Think Again. 

What’s your take on 9/11’? 

Comment below or share with #TheBigBamboozle and #MATA!

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