This seamless account vividly portrays the apocalyptic environment experienced in Iraq and Syria under the regime of ISIS. With this firsthand report, the reader is taken on an unforgettable journey witnessing the conflict in Raqqa, the Battle for Mosul, and the Syrian refugee crisis. From the underground traders to the extortion to the genocide to the battles, this is an important history for Westerners to comprehend.
I specifically wanted to note the presentation of people that the author encounters in this book. This includes but is not limited to smugglers, ISIS leaders and members, Iraq Counter-Terrorism Force soldiers, ISOF, Kurdish soldiers, looters, Assad supporters, bomb makers, passport counterfeit artists, etc.… Because of his relationships with each person, as a reader you get to know each one. They became “real” rather than obscure names who are easy to forget. It was distressing when one would die because you would become attached to them, you felt like you knew them.
Throughout the entire book, I felt like a fly on the wall watching everything play out. Overall, it was an electrifying and stimulating account. Written as a narrative, he made it easy for the average laymen to comprehend. The chapters are ordered sequentially by month and year which made his narrative easy to follow. Again, this is great nonfiction read for the average reader.
Highly recommend. I learned a lot and will be looking for more from this author. Nonfiction solid 5 stars. Now it only leaves us with the question, will this happen again?
Many thanks to Public Affairs, Mike Giglio, and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.