A mosque in Munich

A Mosque in Munich was written by Ian Johnson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and published in 2010. The book investigates the unlikely history of the Munich Islamic Center, tracing how a small group of Nazis, captured by the Soviets during World War II, were later recruited by the CIA during the Cold War. Their mission was to organize Soviet Muslims against the communist state, which inadvertently laid the foundations for radical Islamic networks in Europe.

Johnson, who served as a correspondent in Germany for The Wall Street Journal, draws upon extensive archival research and interviews to craft this historical account. The narrative style is recognized for blending investigative journalism with academic rigor, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the geopolitical maneuvers that shaped modern extremist movements. Upon its release, the book was well-received by critics for its meticulous documentation and its ability to connect forgotten historical threads to contemporary global challenges.