'If you see the Black Banners coming, then go to them, even if you have to crawl' — Prophet Muhammad. Ali Soufan was for years the FBI's lead agent in the war against Al Qaeda, as well as its most effective interrogator. On September 11th 2001, he was handed a secret file that could have prevented the attacks, and he has prevented many others by gaining important confessions from Al Qaeda terrorists — without ever laying so much as a hand on them. He is also not afraid to critique the US government's approach to combating terrorism. In The Black Banners he takes us into hideouts, planning meetings, and interrogation rooms. He explains why the pervasive use of torture is not helping in the War on Terror, and how a more enlightened approach to intelligence is not only possible, but better. This is a gripping and important book that gives us a ringside seat in Bin Laden's lair.
