The Spymaster of Baghdad

A True Story of Bravery, Family, and Patriotism in the Battle Against ISIS

By: Margaret Coker

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

From the former New York Times bureau chief in Baghdad comes the gripping and heroic story of an elite, top-secret team of unlikely spies who triumphed over ISIS.

The Spymaster of Baghdad tells the dramatic yet intimate account of how a covert Iraqi intelligence unit called “the Falcons” came together against all odds to defeat ISIS. The Falcons, comprised of ordinary men with little conventional espionage background, infiltrated the world’s most powerful terrorist organization, ultimately turning the tide of war against the terrorist group and bringing safety to millions of Iraqis and the broader world. Centered around the relationship between two brothers, Harith Sudani, a rudderless college dropout who was recruited to the Falcons by his all-star younger brother Munaf, and their eponymous unit commander Abu Ali, The Spymaster of Baghdad follows their emotional journey as Harith volunteers for the most dangerous mission imaginable. With piercing lyricism and thrilling prose, Coker’s deeply-reported account interweaves heartfelt portraits of these and other unforgettable characters as they navigate the streets of war-torn Baghdad and perform heroic feats of cunning and courage.

The Falcons’ path crosses with that of Abraar, a young, radicalized university student who, after being snubbed by the head of the Islamic State’s chemical weapons program, plots her own attack. At the near-final moment, the Falcons intercept Abraar’s deadly plan to poison Baghdad’s drinking water and arrest her in the middle of the night—just one of many covert counterterrorism operations revealed for the first time in the book.

Ultimately, The Spymaster of Baghdad is a page-turning account of wartime espionage in which ordinary people make extraordinary sacrifices for the greater good. Challenging our perceptions of terrorism and counterterrorism, war and peace, Iraq and the wider Middle East, American occupation and foreign intervention, The Spymaster of Baghdad is a testament to the power of personal choice and individual action to change the course of history—in a time when we need such stories more than ever.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Worth every penny

The story takes you effortlessly through the intricate world of spies and covert operations against the Islamic State (ISIS). Most interesting, are the average lives that emerge as heros and villains making the tangled web of deception intriguing and real. I loved it. I am only sad it had to come to an end.

Amazing book

I loved reading this book as the author does an astounding job making the reader feel as if they’re living every moment with the characters. Highly recommend! Very emotional story.

Good listen but biased

More historical objectivity needed. Good storyline but historical events are narrated in biased way. A good listen

masterpiece

heroic act , bravery ,selfless, proud to be an Iraqi God bless him 🙏

Sensational!

Heroism and tragedy at its finest. This author really did some incredible work pulling this story together. You have my applause.