I think you're close to the truth. My impression of the book was that the author had worked with the Afghans during the Russian war and had gone native -- identified with the Taliban.
Scheuer has one good point -- we ought to read bin Laden's writings. Know the enemy.
Scheuer thinks that if we give in to bin Laden's demands -- roughly, abandon Israel and withdraw from the Middle East -- bin Laden will be satisfied and will not make further demands. Clearly 20th century European history is not Scheuer's strong point.
Basically, Scheuer's argument is a windy updated "appeasement" apologia. We had these type of "wise guys" during the 30s and we will always have their likes with us. There will always be those who counsel seeking the path of least resistance and that lies in giving the lion enough victims so he doesn't turn on us later. We saw how well THAT approach worked before World War II. Any one who thinks Bin Laden would leave America alone after we've capitulated to all his demands should be locked up in an insane asylum, not hawking a book on the TV talk show circuit.