Race Against Terror - by Jake Tapper (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Two assistant US attorneys race to lock up a dangerous al Qaeda terrorist before he's set free in one of the most riveting true crime stories of the 21st century--from #1 New York Times bestselling author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

June 2011: a man fleeing the Arab Spring on a refugee boat surrenders himself to Italian authorities. He claims that, as a terrorist, he is responsible for the deaths of American soldiers. This unexpected surrender sets off an unlikely chain of events and one of the most significant, but little-known, cases in American history.

When federal prosecutors Dave Bitkower and Shreve Ariail get the call from the FBI that the Italians have known terrorist Spin Ghul in custody, they immediately recognize the stakes of the situation. Determined to deliver justice for the soldiers killed in combat, they must traverse the globe, uncovering facts and evidence from thousands of miles away on a remote battlefield in Afghanistan.

Through intense reporting and meticulous recreation, from the battlefield to the courthouse, Race Against Terror tells the story of a man radicalized to enact violence, of the courageous soldiers who risked their lives for each other, and the diverse set of law enforcement, intelligence, and military personnel who work tirelessly to stay one step ahead of disaster. In doing so, Jake Tapper uncovers a gripping narrative history that reveals the true costs of the War on Terror and delivers a salient warning for the increasing threats we face to this day.

Review Quotes

"A riveting story with a master's sublime command. There are moments when this work of non-fiction seems more like a novel. It is taut, suspenseful, and true. I couldn't put it down." --Ken Burns

"Jake Tapper brings his investigative and narrative talents to bear in weaving the military, legal, political and deeply personal threads of the high-stakes pursuit of the terrorist Spin Ghul. This enthralling history delivers important context for understanding the war on terror in the present day."--Douglas Brunt, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

"Part legal thriller, part war reportage, Race Against Terror is an extraordinary book--one that is not only riveting to read, but also shines an essential light on the quest for justice in the modern age of terrorism." --David Grann, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wager

"Tapper's narrative moves at pace, skillfully blending combat scenes, investigative breakthroughs, and courtroom conflict... A smart page-turner." --Kirkus

About the Author

Jake Tapper has written two New York Times bestselling novels, The Hellfire Club and The Devil May Dance, as well as the bestselling nonfiction books The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor and Race Against Terror. He is the lead Washington, DC, anchor and chief correspondent for CNN. A Dartmouth graduate and Philadelphia native, he lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, daughter, and son.