Black Flags is a fascinating primer on the history of ISIS. Though it is dense with facts, the writing is accessible and lively. The most interesting (and disturbing) portions of the book are interviews with people from US and Middle Eastern intelligence agencies, which demonstrate how ego-driven decisions and a series of oversights contributed made it possible for ISIS to gain popular and financial support.
The third section of the book, which focuses on modern-day ISIS feels hurried. This could be because the events described are so recent that the author was not able to conduct the extensive research and interviews as he did with the first two parts, or perhaps the book was rushed to press in light of recent events.
Nonetheless, this book is an excellent choice for any reader who does not know much about the history of the Middle East, but wishes to understand how ISIS grew to become the threat it is today.
The third section of the book, which focuses on modern-day ISIS feels hurried. This could be because the events described are so recent that the author was not able to conduct the extensive research and interviews as he did with the first two parts, or perhaps the book was rushed to press in light of recent events.
Nonetheless, this book is an excellent choice for any reader who does not know much about the history of the Middle East, but wishes to understand how ISIS grew to become the threat it is today.
