This book was fast paced. Hard to put down. It flowed well and it was very well written. It caught hold of me and had me hooked from the start . I was literally on the edge of my seat reading this book.

An in-depth read of our struggles against ISIS. The author's are both decorated military heroes, who have given years of their lives in this war.
The book covers the rise of ISIS, and the forming of the "strike cell" to fight it. The author's provide an excellent look into the complexities of Middle East politics. And of our own country's administration's, without a better word to describe it, "meddling". The book describes several encounters where they were forced to stand by and watch ISIS commit horrible acts, and all because of our President's inability to act quickly. So many times the military had there hands tied, because of seemingly arbitrary rules against acting. Think how frustrating it must have been to watch an ISIS gathering of 600 fighters, and be unable to attack because the gathering was 5 kilometers outside the area the administration randomly designated!
The book left me with a deep feeling of frustration. I understand that there are political issues that lead the governments actions, but the meddling and fumbling is causing the deaths of our soldiers, as well as untold number of Middle Eastern civilians. Either let the military do it's job, or admit that the battle has been lost and bring our soldiers home!

This is an intense read. I have read other books about ISIS as well as watched multiple documentaries. General Pittard and JTAC Wes Bryant are both honorable soldiers. They both conveyed their displeasure of politics both in and out of the Middle East with this battle. Cohesiveness of the many militia in Iraq wasn’t there then as it is not there now.

The book begins with President Obama still in office and the plan to withdraw from Iraq. It is difficult to read about ISIS’s slaughter of innocent people. Our forces often found themselves watching without being able to act. There is discussion of the consequences of withdrawing from Iraq. The complexity of the military operation in the Middle East is mind boggling. I did have some trouble remembering military acronyms without going back to review. There is discussion of the Taliban’s resurgence and the continued battle about terrorism. President Trump’s declaration of ISIS being defeated is only briefly mentioned which feels appropriate. This battle is far from over and the Middle East is far from healed. I agree with the authors that this struggle is complex and never ending. Thank you for allowing me to review an advanced copy.