An inside look at the subterranean exchanges that occur between governments and terrorist organisations.

Shortlisted for Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize 2015.

"Essential reading for all parties in conflict" -- Patrick Cockburn Independent "Fascinating" -- Michael Ignatieff Sunday Times "This is an inspiring book. You'll enter the New Year shaking hands with all." -- Kirsty Brimelow The Times "This is an unusual, indeed a unique, book" -- Oliver Miles Guardian "The book is an enthralling case study of the art, in which Powell carefully establishes his argument for why dialogue with terror groups is usually necessary" -- Anthony Loyd New Statesman "It is a witty, light-footed, anecdote-rich history of the recent art of talking to terrorists" -- Justin Webb The Times "Thoughtful, well-structured, intelligent and well-informed" -- Conor Gearty Irish Times "Intelligent and insightful book on conflict resolution" -- Andrew Lynch Sunday Business Post

Jonathan Powell has spent half a lifetime talking to people and organisations labelled as terrorists. He runs Inter Mediate, a London-based charity for negotiation and mediation that focuses on the most difficult, complex and dangerous conflicts, where other organisations are unable to operate. In 1997 he met Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness and became instrumental in negotiating peace in Northern Ireland. In 2008 he suggested publicly that western governments should open talks with the Taliban, Hamas and al-Qaeda. Today, he works on different armed conflicts around the world and is the UK Prime Minister's special envoy to Libya. He is the author of two books, Great Hatred, Little Room and The New Machiavelli. He lives in London with his wife and two daughters.