'By far the most important contribution yet to our understanding of an organization that remains cloaked in mystery and misunderstanding. Stern and Berger are two of the world's leading experts on violent extremism and, in this book, they have combined their years of knowledge and expertise into a brisk, readable, and eye opening account of ISIS's past, present, and future.' -Reza Aslan, author of No god but God and Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth 'The State of Terror is the first serious book to analyze the rise of ISIS, arguably one of history's most successful terrorist groups. Stern and Berger write clearly and persuasively and marshal impressive primary research from ISIS's prodigious propaganda to help explain how ISIS became the dominant jihadi group today. It's a terrific and important read' -Peter Bergen, author of Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for bin Laden, from 9/11 to Abbottabad 'From two of the world's leading terrorism experts, this timely and urgent book is absolutely essential reading for analysts and policy makers alike. In what is already a cornerstone contribution, Stern and Berger offer the kind of cold-blooded analysis so desperately needed on the poorly understood phenomenon that is the so-called Islamic State' -John Horgan, author of The Psychology of Terrorism 'Jessica Stern and J.M. Berger pull back the curtain to expose facts and myths about the violent Salafi apocalyptic cult calling itself the Islamic State. This book is a must-read for perplexed policymakers' -Mike Walker, former undersecretary and acting secretary of the United States Army