Instinct will be released on September 11, 2009. 
All the author proceeds will go to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville.
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“Jose Melendez-Perez exemplifies the sheer will, gut instinct and honed expertise of a man devoted to the security of his country. Michael Smerconish superbly shines a deserving spotlight on this true American patriot.”
- The Honorable Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pennsylvania and the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security
“Michael Smerconish is perhaps the most intelligent, insightful and provocative public commentator on the current scene. He also has a great narrative style and displays all these glittering talents in “Instinct.” The little known tale of Jose Melendez-Perez’s calm heroism, has many important subtests and vital lessons for our security. Smerconish illuminates them all. It is both important history and great motivational therapy.”
- John F. Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy, Member of the 9/11 Commission
“Jose Melendez-Perez is a true American hero; but for his actions in preventing the 20th hijacker, Mohamed al-Kahtani, from entering the United States, the Capitol Building might have been destroyed on 9/11.”
- Richard Ben-Veniste, Member of the 9/11 Commission
Michael Smerconish’s fifth book, entitled “Instinct,” tells the story of Jose Melendez-Perez, the immigration inspector who met, interrogated, and rejected Mohamed al-Kahtani – the man we now know was intended to be the twentieth hijacker on September 11, 2001.
On August 4, 2001, Kahtani – like many Saudi tourists who pass through Orlando International Airport – arrived in the U.S. with a real passport and a suitcase full of clothes. But because he didn’t speak English and hadn’t properly filled out his customs paperwork, he was recommended for secondary screening.
The minute Melendez-Perez laid eyes on Kahtani, the veteran immigration inspector knew something wasn’t right. Kahtani shot him arrogant, dirty looks. He pointed his finger in Melendez-Perez’s face, shifted his story, and refused to answer questions under oath. Sensing Kahtani was malafide (a bad actor) but lacking any proof, Melendez-Perez nonetheless refused to approve the young Saudi’s attempt to enter the country. As he boarded his return flight to London, Kahtani turned around, caught Melendez-Perez’s eye, and said: “I’ll be back.”
Less than five months later, Kahtani was apprehended after fleeing the battle at Tora Bora and shipped to Guantanamo Bay. FBI officials deemed him the intended fifth hijacker on United Airlines Flight 93 – the only plane with four terrorists, not five. Members of the 9/11 Commission told Melendez-Perez his work had probably saved the White House or U.S. Capitol from further attack.
In short, Jose Melendez-Perez is an American hero – albeit one whose story has yet to be given the national airing it deserves. He is not alone. “Instinct” also explores other Americans' gut reactions as they've come face to face with religious fanaticism. It looks at technological and tactical advances that aid our security officers – the first line of defense in the war on terror. Heroes like Diana Dean, the customs inspector who stopped Ahmed Ressam from crossing into the U.S. and carrying out the so-called Millennium Bombing in 1999.
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