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Prem's Reviews > Isis: The State of Terror
Isis: The State of Terror
by
by
3.5 stars
A riveting, fairly comprehensive primer to the ideologies and operations of the most infamous and influential extremist jihadi group in the world. The broad strokes of this book will be familiar to those who have been following the group's activities for a while now, but there is still plenty nuance and detail here to add to what we know about them. The second half of the book in particular contains several revealing sections of ISIS modus operandi, and why it's been so successful where others haven't. There is some elegant and striking wisdom here that makes for great reading, reflecting the authors' vast knowledge of terrorism. The policy solutions expounded upon are pragmatic and ostensibly implementable - the authors are clearly doves, albeit afflicted with the markedly American brand of apparent moral righteousness. The appendix does a splendid job of summarizing the strains of fundamental Islam that influence ISIS - its author, Megan McBride is definitely a name to keep an eye out for.
A few critiques - a lot of the book requires substantial background knowledge to truly provide a comprehensive picture of what's being described; the notes and appendix are almost essential reading at points, having information that should've found its place within the main text. For a more in-depth information about this volatile, ever-shifting outfit, I highly recommend following the work of , a meticulous and admirable journalist with the NYTimes.
Further, this is a book clearly directed at an American audience, with its policy ideas and occasionally neoliberal ideas. But those are easily spotted with a critical eye, and a lot of the suggestions are easily generalizable.
Overall, a great read to help understand a little-understood but highly visible presence with an outsized influence on our current affairs.
ISIS is the crack cocaine of violent extremism, all of the elements that make it so alluring and addictive purified into a crystallized form.
A riveting, fairly comprehensive primer to the ideologies and operations of the most infamous and influential extremist jihadi group in the world. The broad strokes of this book will be familiar to those who have been following the group's activities for a while now, but there is still plenty nuance and detail here to add to what we know about them. The second half of the book in particular contains several revealing sections of ISIS modus operandi, and why it's been so successful where others haven't. There is some elegant and striking wisdom here that makes for great reading, reflecting the authors' vast knowledge of terrorism. The policy solutions expounded upon are pragmatic and ostensibly implementable - the authors are clearly doves, albeit afflicted with the markedly American brand of apparent moral righteousness. The appendix does a splendid job of summarizing the strains of fundamental Islam that influence ISIS - its author, Megan McBride is definitely a name to keep an eye out for.
A few critiques - a lot of the book requires substantial background knowledge to truly provide a comprehensive picture of what's being described; the notes and appendix are almost essential reading at points, having information that should've found its place within the main text. For a more in-depth information about this volatile, ever-shifting outfit, I highly recommend following the work of , a meticulous and admirable journalist with the NYTimes.
Further, this is a book clearly directed at an American audience, with its policy ideas and occasionally neoliberal ideas. But those are easily spotted with a critical eye, and a lot of the suggestions are easily generalizable.
Overall, a great read to help understand a little-understood but highly visible presence with an outsized influence on our current affairs.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
June 28, 2018
– Shelved
June 28, 2018
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Finished Reading
