The rise of ISIS is one of the most puzzling and stunning developments in world politics. For readers trying to understand it, this book is a fine place to start. It is a concise but surprisingly detailed history. Beginning around 2004, with the Jordanian founder of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Griffin traces the history in chronological order through 18 short, albeit busy, chapters and a postscript. The book is primarily devoted to tracing the battles ISIS leaders have fought, but a chapter titled 'Twitter Caliphate' delves into the novel social media strategies that aid ISIS in broadcasting its message and recruiting followers. Griffin nowhere tries to speculate or create new typologies. He simply aims at describing the details along the way. Recommended.
—Choice