The Way of the Strangers

Encounters with the Islamic State

By: Graeme Wood

Narrated by: Graeme Wood

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

What does ISIS really want? This is the definitive account of the strategy, psychology, and fundamentalism driving the Islamic State.

Named one of the best books of the year by Foreign Affairs

“Worthy of Joseph Conrad...gripping, sobering and revelatory.” (Tom Holland, New Statesman)

The Islamic State inspired a wave of true believers to travel to Syria from Europe, America, and the Middle East, in numbers not seen since the Crusades. What compelled tens of thousands of men and women to leave comfortable, privileged lives to join a death cult in the desert? Steven Pinker called Graeme Wood’s analysis of this phenomenon in The Atlantic “fascinating, terrifying, occasionally blackly humorous”. In The Way of the Strangers, Wood uses character study, analysis, and original reporting to take us further into the Islamic State’s apocalyptic vision.

Though the Islamic State has lost territory, it threatens to rise again, and its followers are plotting on every continent. From the streets of Cairo to the mosques of London, Wood meets with supporters, recruiters, and scholars and asks them why they believe that killing and dying for this cause is the only path to Paradise. With a new afterword, The Way of the Strangers uncovers the theology and emotional appeal of this resilient group and explores its idiosyncratic, coherent approach to Islam. Just as Lawrence Wright’s The Looming Tower explained the rise of Al Qaida, this work will shape our understanding of a new and deadlier generation of terrorists.

Praise for The Way of the Strangers:

“The Way of the Strangers represents journalism at its best: vivid writing, indefatigable legwork, and fearless analysis.” (Robert D. Kaplan, author of The Return of Marco Polo’s World)

“Wood is a brilliant analyst and storyteller, and his firsthand reporting and language abilities make him the most reliable commentator on the Islamic State that I have read. His wit matches his intelligence (’Well-behaved Salafis seldom make history’) - you don't get through any two pages in his book without a good laugh.” (Peter Theroux, author of Sandstorms: Days and Nights in Arabia)

“Excruciatingly well observed and devastatingly honest.... This is the first and only book about the Islamic State to expose, explain, and ultimately undermine its ideology with the relentless irony that comes from blending deep knowledge with hands-on experience. Wood makes it impossible not to laugh, despite the horrors.” (Elisabeth Kendall, senior research fellow in Arabic and Islamic studies, University of Oxford)

©2017 Graeme Wood (P)2016 Random House Audio

For those interested in ISIS strategy.

A collection of exhaustive research and lengthy interviews as told (necessarily, in ny opinion) by the journalist and author himself. This is terribly enlightening.  I'm struck by a few things. First, Islamic interpretation is complicated. In that finding, I'm comforted because it's so consistent with Christianity (and Judaism). The book is written by a journalist who is attempting to address questions -- that I've had myself -- as done by actually talking to Muslims. One of the countless men he's interviewed made a point that I'd feel better understanding better because of supreme importance to non-Muslims. He suggested (roughly) that a "silent majority" of Muslims are secretly pleased about Salafi actions and the Baghdadi Caliphate since its implementation of sharia law indicates that the end of days and jannah is near.

fascinating almost ethnographic

a very well-written book. it's hard not to Discount the weight of evidence and research he puts forth to describe Islamic State and their followers that is somewhat of a minority position in the popular press.

Graeme Wood puts on a clinic

Fascinating interviews, insightful analysis, captivating stories, this is the best book you can find to get into the minds and hearts of ISIS supporters. It's at once hilarious and chilling, and Graeme's narration is spectacular. Must buy!

Definitive Work on the Minds of Jihadists

After the 2023 Terrorist attack on Israel and the following response of destroying all of Gaza I needed to understand the purpose behind Muslims who call for Caliphate - Mr. Wood wrote a definitive work here work every second of my time.

What are Jihadists Thinking, and Why?

Graeme Wood set out to understand our enemy, and this book is written to capture the thoughts of those who support the Islamic State. He's interviewed many, and a common pattern emerges through their stories. Graeme is an excellent writer, and storyteller, and I've recommended this book to many of my friends. Despite the deadly horror and seriousness of the subject matter, Graeme occasionally uses wry humor as he points out the contradictions in the personal lives of those who preach hatred and jihad against any "non-believers". He also helps understand why moderate Muslims' attitude toward jihadists are relatively unlikely to make a serious dent in the problem. I recommend this book highly.

The Wat of Strangers

Excellent book, clear and very informative. Excellent performance which is just right Unbiased and well researched. I have learned so much and would recommend the book highly.

Simply fascinating

Just so interesting to see into the minds of such an organization and its people.

Informative

This book offers a look into the minds and motivations of ISIS and other current Muslim causes around the world.

It also spawned many questions for me. This book does a great job of explaining the motivations of the "boots on the ground" soldiers of ISIS. Perhaps a future book would provide similar analysis of the financial backing of these movements. Missing from this book was some examination of Muslims not "in the battle". What are their thoughts of ISIS. Not the 30 second media version, but the imbedded, knowledgeable version.

Overall a great job. Thorough, and from close examination. Well done.

Very eye opening

Talk about being put to sleep by a Narrator! Only thing keeping you awake is the education you are receiving from the content. OMG!!

This is the single best book on Islam I have seen.

And I have seen and listened to dozens of them over decades. The most remarkable thing about this particular book is that it is appropriate for people like me who know all about these particulars, as well as people who do not know the particulars.

The tragedy of the entire thing is that nothing can be done about it. Specifically, Islam has two vulnerabilities. First and foremost it has nothing like a Pope. The Roman Catholic Church never had more then three contenders at any one time. Islam? Every damned Imam is his own Pope.

Worse, Islamic theology (Koran, Hadith etc) are irredeemably supremacist. The Christian's Jesus said: "Those of you who are without sin throw the first stones." Islamic theology is simply, more or less, kill them all. Christianity has the New Testament. Islam has a war manual. Just read the Koran. You need to do it three times in succession to get the whole effect.

Or Youtube" "David Wood" or Islam 201.