Zadka, a terrorism expert, delivers a meticulously researched analysis of the U.K.'s ongoing battle against extremism and radical threats. The British Suicide reveals systemic failures in security, judicial, and social mechanisms that enabled radical ideologies to threaten British society. He uncovers some of the darkest ironies in recent British counter-terrorism failures:

• At the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, a security guard failed to confront a suspicious-looking attacker for fear of being labeled racist, leading to the death of twenty-two people, including seven children.
• The Greater Manchester Police conducted a counter-terrorism exercise in 2018, during which an officer playing the role of a terrorist shouted “Allahu Akbar” and detonated a fake bomb. Outrage from local imams prompted the police to apologize and reprimand the officer.
• Despite being a case study for a Cambridge University terrorist rehabilitation program, the 2019 London Bridge attacker Usman Khan went on to murder two people at a prisoner rehabilitation event.

These examples set the stage for Zadka’s broader theme: the failure of institutions meant to protect British society. He examines troubling failures such as the reluctance to act on known threats, the prioritization of rehabilitation over security, and the hesitation to confront radicalism. He highlights the problem of foreign influence, especially that of the Islamic Republic of Iran—a topic all too often ignored.

While the book is rich with valuable insights and detailed examples, some sections feel somewhat dense, making it a demanding read. However, Zadka’s vivid descriptive style and meticulous attention to detail elevate many parts of the work, transforming what could have been a straightforward historical account into a compelling, almost cinematic narrative. He uncovers fascinating details that add a human dimension, making the historical context both informative and impactful.

That said, Zadka analyses symptoms without dissecting the root causes, thereby missing out on a broader societal critique. His focus on surface-level manifestations—such as avoiding offensive labels or showing leniency toward radicalized individuals—neglects the influence of identity politics on law enforcement and judicial decisions. Also, he discusses the Islamist grip on Britain but fails to address its full extent. For instance, he finds four U.K. groups supporting or tied to Hamas, but the Middle East Forum has identified at least eleven.

Anna Stanley