American ISIS Podcast with Trevor Aaronson cover art

American ISIS

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American ISIS

By: Trevor Aaronson
Narrated by: Trevor Aaronson
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About this listen

 American ISIS tells the story of Russell Dennison, an American who converted to Islam and traveled to Syria to fight for the Islamic State. For more than six months, Russell secretly communicated with journalist Trevor Aaronson, sending more than 30 hours of recordings that detail his suburban upbringing, his pursuit by the FBI, his embrace of extremism, and his decision to live and die on distant battlefields. Russell’s recordings provide an unprecedented firsthand account of what it was like for an American to be part of one of the world’s most fearsome terrorist groups. A remarkable work of journalism and narrative storytelling, American ISIS brings listeners into a hidden world few Americans have witnessed - filled with jihadis, human smugglers, FBI agents, government informants, and nightly bombings. Trevor Aaronson, a journalist for The Intercept, tracks down the people who knew Russell in the United States and in the Middle East as he investigates and corroborates Russell’s incredible story, from his childhood in Pennsylvania to bombed-out Syrian villages thousands of miles from the life he’d once known. An Audible Original produced by The Intercept, Topic Studios, and Western Sound.©2021 First Look Institute, Inc. (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC Murder True Crime
Episodes
  • American ISIS Trailer

    American ISIS Trailer
    Jul 1 2021
    American ISIS is an eight-episode podcast that tells the remarkable story of Russell Dennison, an American ex-convict and Muslim convert who joined the Islamic State in Syria. As US and coalition airstrikes rained down on ISIS fighters in 2018 and 2019, Dennison secretly recorded dozens of hours of audio about his past and his life with ISIS and sent them to journalist Trevor Aaronson with one condition: Nothing he said could be revealed until he was captured or - more likely - killed.
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    Less than 1 minute
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  • Episode 1: Death and Life

    Episode 1: Death and Life
    Jul 15 2021

    As the Islamic State collapses in Syria, Russell Dennison contacts journalist Trevor Aaronson and says he wants to talk.
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    35 mins
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  • Episode 2: Beginnings

    Episode 2: Beginnings
    Jul 15 2021
    Russell’s typical suburban childhood features Saturday-morning cartoons, action figures under the Christmas tree, and a basketball hoop in the driveway. But his life takes a turn in his 20s, when he’s arrested in Pennsylvania for selling marijuana.
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    27 mins
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All stars
Most relevant  
To understand a little better what few in the west can or want to understand. Ultimately, we are reminded dichotomies are mostly false, good vs evil is perspective in large part, and a story of human and individual suffering. There are no happy endings for most touched by war. Thank you for sharing the story and to Russell sharing so openly.

Excellent - insightful and impactful

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How could you not help get the out!!!!
Those camps are horrible and a woman and two children are there ,
How could you not try to get them out.

Great story!

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What is really intriguing to me is this guy's motivations, an extreme reaction to always feeling misunderstood and on the outskirts? why does he share his story? as surely such detailed personal account is really useful to governments trying to understand how someone becomes radicalised and the inner workings of ISIS so he is creating an act of betrayal to the very religious ideas he states are so important. I hear a guy who though intelligent is very naive and really wrapped up in his own bizarre ego trip.
I binged this series. Well presented and thought out .

a fascinating dark tale

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As important as it is to document and to try to understand why someone from a normal western upbringing would decide to follow such an extreme form of islam i believe russel thought that his life story would serve as an inspiration for future jihadis.
it is almost cringe worthy the way he tries to mimic an arabic mans way of speech.
he was obviously a true believer to dedicate his life to islam but the reasons behind his decision to follow such an extreme path only he will know.was it genuine? was it a cry for help? was it attention seeking? or we he just a young confused man with a sense of adventure who wanted to dedicate his life to a percieved noble cause to leave some form of historic legacy behind?
overall he is a despicable human being who try as i may i cannot have any sympathy for as he chose to allign himself with a destructive perversion of islam
that being said this was an intresting pod on the subject as i have listened to various pods on the subject the music is spot on painting a sinister enviroment and subject matter and it is well narrated by the author

attention seeker

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An incredible listen. Saddening, frustrating, disturbing... Many more descriptions.

The narrator is excellent. He gets across the thoughts and perspectives of the subject while remaining scrupulously non-judgemental. Naïveté, pathos, inevitable tragedy.

My only winge, and why I couldn't give it 5* overall, is how little of Russell's recordings are actually included. Most of it is duplicated, perhaps because of the format? Still, Mr Aaronson talks about the hours and hours of recordings he received. It would be interesting to hear more of them.

Deeply moving

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Sad, but interesting. Highlights the often misguided search for belonging and meaning that quite often manifests itself in tragedy and is at the root of many extreme actions

Overwhelmingly Sad

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a have listened to this umpteen times Russell was brainwashed and his first wife is from the UK she returned back to the UK got 6, years in jail but done a few radaclisation course if the top of my head her name is mentioned in here and in the news he was described as a one legged fighter

*******brainwashed edited*******

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A great journalism story about a world that we've usually spoken, without know it.

My first audible's book

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This podcast has been invaluable at giving captivating insight into the life of a jihadist living in a terrorist state. Every question i had during the 8 episode podcast was answered with detail, understanding & compassion by the narrator Trevor Aaronson. He achieves a connection with Russell Dennison that is unnerving, yet beautiful. He masterfully provides the listener with a look into the ideologies, structures & framework that made ISIS infamous throughout the world. I will never forget this story.

Compelling from start to finish!

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The story has been masterfully woven together based on voice recordings sent from Dennison to Aaronson over the course of many months. Excellent journalism, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a complex and misguided man who sadly made some terrible choices contributing to the suffering of many. Could not recommend this enough.

A gripping story

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