Mosul
Australia’s secret war inside the ISIS caliphate

By Ben McKelvey

Published by Hachette
RRP $34.99 in paperback | ISBN 9780733645419

Author Ben McKelvey, in his introduction to this book, makes an interesting point: ‘… the story of the middle eastern conflicts that followed the 9/11 attacks and the rise and territorial fall of ISIS is an Australian story, with veterans from both sides of the conflict having walked among us.’

Through his extraordinary access to SOOCOMD/2COMMANDO units (the most decorated modern Australian fighting unit) and other key players, McKelvey pieces together the story of the battle for Mosul and the secret involvement of Australians on both sides of the war – both our commandos and Australian ISIS fighters.

While we have all come to understand the brutality of ISIS, the ability of recruiters to persuade young Australians to adopt their fanaticism remains chilling, not to mention the tragic consequences that await them.

McKelvey also takes us into the personal lives of commandos who served with distinction and then suffered the devastating impact of PTSD.

Focusing on the stories of key figures like 2 Commando’s Ian Turner and one of Australia’s most infamous Jihadist, Khaled Sharrouf, McKelvey brings recent history to life in this compelling examination of modern warfare and counterterrorism.

A must-read for anyone interested in modern military and political history.