My Journey into the Heart of Terror

May 30, 2016
Todenhöfer, a former German judge and politician turned author, recounts the lead-up to and his travels into Islamic State (ISIS) controlled parts of Syria and Mosul, Iraq in 2014 to interview ISIS fighters in order to better understand their ideology, motives and goals. His research, focused on German recruits, leads to an official invitation to speak with fighters as well as a promise of safety. Todenhöfer's public criticism of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq, and previous books (Why Do You Kill, Zaid?) seemingly earned him enough trust to be the first journalist from the West to be granted such access. But with ISIS's history of executions, including journalists, in mind, Todenhöfer packed suicide pills before he and his son Frederic and a friend journeyed through Turkey into ISIS territory. They report what the fighters, some of whom have come from Western countries, tell them are their beliefs about Islam, ISIS's goals and its ruthless executions and punishments of "non-believers," and practices such as slavery. Todenhöfer questions them about how such brutality can be reconciled with Islamic teachings from the Qu'ran about mercy and peace. Written almost like a travel diary with transcribed interviews, the book offers a rare inside view of ISIS and insight into the terrorist organization's methods and hold on adherents.