About the Author

Ali Soufan, a former FBI special agent and the lead investigator on some of the world’s?most complex international terrorism cases, gained an?international reputation as a top counterterrorism operative. He is the chairman and CEO of The Soufan Group, founder of The Soufan Center, and has been featured in books, films, television series, newspaper articles, and documentaries across the globe.

Reviews

"Ali Soufan is our most important chronicler of the rise and spread of Islamist terror movements. A former FBI agent who identified the hijackers of 9/11, and whose interrogation of al-Qaeda members—without torture—led to innumerable breakthroughs, Soufan is a unique resource and a moral beacon. In a time when our intelligence community as well as our country seem to have lost their bearings, his clear voice guides us through the fog of war and partisanship. Anyone who wants to understand the world we live in now should read this book."
*Lawrence Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower and The Terror Years*

"Revealing and timely…. Soufan writes with immense knowledge and authority…. Anatomy of Terror not only tells a gripping story but is filled with insights that put today’s terror attacks by the Islamic State and Al Qaeda in perspective with the history and complicated geopolitics of the region."
*Michiko Kakutani - New York Times*

"Into this moment of counterterrorism policy despair, Ali Soufan, one of America’s original terror warriors, has returned to help us take stock…. Soufan retells the Qaeda story from the beginning, enriching that now oft-told tale with newer materials."
*Charlie Savage - New York Times Book Review*

"Anatomy of Terror tells the stories of the leaders of al-Qaeda and IS… [F]or America, the main enemies are still the organized groups abroad."
*The Economist*

"Anyone interested in terrorism needs this book:… it provides a blend of history and social and political inspection that lends authority and insights."
*Midwest Book Review*

"A concise, accessible, enormously readable account of the trajectory of al-Qaeda… In a dizzying scenario of violence, Soufan provides clarity and balance."
*Kirkus (starred review)*

"A true insider’s perspective… This is an important and unsettling effort to describe and understand a threat that will continue indefinitely."
*Booklist*

"Highly informative and compelling… An important book for everyone who wants to understand the influence of bin Laden and al-Qaeda on today’s terrorist groups."
*Nader Entessar - Library Journal*

"A deep look at the inner workings, ideology, internal politics, and strategies of modern Islamic terrorism.… Soufan reveals himself to be a true expert."
*Publishers Weekly*