Race Against Terror - by Jake Tapper (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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, [this book] 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"--

Book Synopsis

"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 Killers of the Flower Moon

In this thrilling true story, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jake Tapper uncovers an investigation--unlike any other in American history--to lock up a dangerous terrorist before he's set free.

June 2011: The case has been cold for nearly ten years when a terrorist fleeing the Arab Spring turns himself in and confesses to killing American soldiers in Afghanistan. This brazen act sets off an unlikely chain of events that puts the entirety of the American justice system to the test. They have the killer, but no evidence to prove the murders happened.

Determined to deliver justice, a team led by federal prosecutors Dave Bitkower and Shreve Ariail must traverse the globe, uncovering facts across thousands of miles and tracing shocking plots of terror in order to prevent tragedy from striking again.

Through intense reporting and meticulous recreation, Race Against Terror shows a man radicalized to enact violence, courageous soldiers who risked their lives for each other, and the diverse set of men and women who work tirelessly to stay one step ahead of disaster. In this gripping narrative history CNN's Jake Tapper reveals the true costs of the War on Terror and delivers a salient warning for the increasing threats of extremism we face to this day

Review Quotes

"A pacey, police procedural-style account of the jihadist's apprehension and trial...Tapper draws suspense out of the authorities' rush to gather evidence to indict Harun in a U.S. civilian criminal court." --The New York Times

"A smart page-turner." --Kirkus

"Skillfully unpacks the investigation and trial of a dangerous terrorist in this exciting and little-known story." --Library Journal

"[An] evocative dispatch from America's war on terror...riveting." --Publishers Weekly

"Tapper's meticulous reporting and narrative flair will keep you engrossed until the thrilling end." --Craig Whitlock, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Afghanistan Papers

"It's no exaggeration to say that Race Against Terror has everything: brilliant detective work, combat scenes, the stunning trial of terrorist Spin Ghul in a Brooklyn courtroom of all unlikely places." --James Patterson

"A masterclass in true-crime storytelling. Jake Tapper delivers a riveting, behind-the-scenes account of the only terrorist ever tried and convicted for killing U.S. soldiers overseas...Fascinating, fast-paced, and deeply human, this book reads like an edge-of-your-seat spy novel." --Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Edge of Honor

"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

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.