The Black Banners

On September 11, 2001, FBI Special Agent Ali H. Soufan was handed a secret file. Had he received it months earlier-when it was requested-the attacks on New York and Washington could have been prevented. During his time on the front lines, Soufan helped thwart plots around the world and elicited some of the most important confessions from terrorists in the war against al-Qaeda-without laying a hand on them. Most of these stories have never been reported and never by anyone with such intimate firsthand knowledge. This narrative account of America's successes and failures against al-Qaeda is essential to an understanding of the terrorist group. We are taken into hideouts, interrogation rooms, and bin Laden's personal celebration of the 9/11 bombings. Such riveting details show us not only how terrorists think and operate but how they can be brought to justice.