In the search for Abu Musab Zarqawi, the Al Qaeda leader in Iraq, no brutality was spared in trying to squeeze intelligence from Zarqawi's suspected associates. But these 'force on force' techniques yielded exactly nothing. Enter Matthew Alexander, a former criminal investigator and the head of a handpicked interrogation team. Alexander's team took a new tack : they decided to get to know their opponents. This work is a reminder that we don't have to become our enemy, to defeat him.

Originally published: New York : Free Press, 2008. Includes a foreword by Mark Bowden, and a new (2011) introduction by the author.

Pt. 1. Prologue. The golden dome -- The 'gator pit -- The skeleton -- The jovial imam -- Love of family -- The convenient car bomb -- The burning house -- pt. 2. Coming into focus. Fractures -- The other side of the house -- The group of five -- The second wife -- A life for redemption -- Preacher of hate -- The blue BMW -- The devil's choice -- pt. 3. Going in circles. Cat and mouse -- The leader -- Fault lines -- The eyes of Fatima -- The return to the other side of the house -- Terrorist follies -- The media man -- A visit from the boss -- A slip -- pt. 4. Dice roll. A single, empty hand -- Six hours -- The duel -- A chance for unity -- Treason -- The secret deal -- Stasis -- The unknown imam -- The seventh of June -- Epilogue : Killing the hydra.