This is typically not what I would read as I’m more of a light fiction reader.coming into this book with a curiosity about ISIS and the inner workings of Global Intelligence services was very interesting.The author was very good at keeping your interest.
Thankyou Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

This book is an amazing resource for anyone who is interested in the history surrounding the rise and fall of the Islamic State in the arena of the Middle East. The writing is engaging and it is apparent the author did his homework and spent many hours interviewing and researching for this narrative to become a cohesive story told in a chronological order.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own honest opinions expressed voluntarily.

Well researched and expertly written, Samuel Katz takes on the daunting task of writing the history of the war on ISIS primarily by looking through the events that happen in the country of Jordan. Katz does an excellent job by not only taking on that task but soaring with it. Books of this nature are often dry and overly bogged down with technical minutia. This book reads so easily but without sacrificing any detail. The cooperation between intelligence groups was the most intriguing part of the book to me personally and really makes you think about all those who to fight terrorism away from the public eye. "No Shadows in the Desert" is treat for those who love spy stories, political science and history.

If true stories of modern spy operations intrigue you I would really suggest you pick this book up.

ARC from Net Galley made this review possible

KATZ does a marvelous job in dispelling the broken narrative that ISIS is comprised of camel riding buffoons. He also shows the virulent violence that while denied in America wholesale is an integral part of what they believe and how they fight.

The death and I suppose we could say righteous revenge concerning the death of the pilot Moaz and the implemented missions to execute the perpetrators shows why this battle may never really end.

Fascinating!!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It really piqued my interest shortly after getting into it. Not at all the typical military story of obscure acronyms and force structures.
It's the story of the battle waged against ISIS, and it's subsequent decline. Mainly written through the lens of the country of Jordan, and it's intelligence service, GID. Why Jordan? Because the country was being inundated with refugees from the war in Syria, close to one million of them. And this was on top of tens of thousands of refugees from the invasion of Iraq, and even Palestinian refugee camps from the 1967 war in Israel. Jordan was strained to the breaking point, and could not afford to have ISIS contributing to another wave of refugees. Also, in no small part, because ISIS wanted Jordan for itself.
I was surprised to learn of the competency of the GID. They welcomed minorities into their operations, from Chechens to Bedouins. All of the inclusiveness and varied ethnic groups allowed the GID to insert spies into the ISIS organization. It also allowed great insight into how different groups thought. Their fears, comfort zones, when and how to apply pressure and when to administer rewards.
The plot of the book follows the response of the GID after one of it's Air Force pilots is shot down, tortured, and brutally murdered by ISIS. And the hunt for the ISIS members involved.
But that's just part of the book, kind of the binder that holds everything together and makes it work. There is a great deal of information about the structure of ISIS, of the situation in Syria, and of the various superpowers jockeying for position (and their mistakes).
I will not spoil the ending for you. Let it be said, it was very satisfying.
This is a very good book. Expertly written, yet easy to follow. I wish all of our politicians in Washington would take the time to read it and absorb it's lessons. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work.
I highly recommend it!