An Iran-born Kurdish journalist who joined the ranks of the Kurdish army as a sniper in the fight against ISIS tells his story under his nom de guerre, Azad, which means "freedom" in Kurdish.
This memoir by a Kurdish sharpshooter, written under his movement name of Azad, about his participation on the battlefield of Kobani is simply outstanding ... Azad brings the hellish experience of war to these pages in great detail as he shares his belief in the Kurdish revolutionary cause of gender equality, freedom, and democracy ... Azad’s powerful story goes far beyond news reports and will fascinate those interested in military history, current events, or the craft of sharpshooting.
A gritty account of street combat against the ruthless fighters of the Islamic State group. In clear, thoughtful prose, Azad presents the experiences of many who responded to the jihadi threat in the Middle East ... A propulsive memoir that captures the grim reality of small-scale conflict and reveals the fragmented politics of the Middle East today.
...gripping ... While many sniper memoirs focus on the almost spiritual aspects of the craft, Azad takes a humbler, more earthbound stance: 'Any competent soldier can learn the basics of sniping in an hour.' He is more passionate in discussing the progressive ideals of the YPG and Rojava. His story, elegantly told, will resonate long after the final ISIS fighter falls.
