Bombshell: The Many Faces Of Women Terrorists

by Mia Bloom

Terrorism has a new—female—face. In Moscow in 2010, two women blew themselves up within minutes of each other on separate subway lines. In Baquba, Iraq, in 2005, a Belgian woman who had converted to Islam rammed a car filled with explosives into an American military convoy. In Jerusalem in 2001, a Palestinian woman sent a man with explosives strapped to his chest into a crowded café. In Ireland in 1990, a woman pretending to be pregnant tried to smuggle a bomb into Belfast Airport. In hotspots around the world women have been playing an increasingly central role in planning, supporting, and perpetrating acts of violence. Some women terrorists are true believers in their cause. Others are drugged, kidnapped, or coerced. Many have been raped and shamed. Often their motives are mixed: pride, peer pressure, veneration for a leader, rage at the humiliations they have endured. The result, as Mia Bloom shows in this important book, is a sinister new security threat. In Bombshell, Bloom explores women’s roles in terrorist movements in Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine, Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Indonesia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Drawing on a wide range of sources—including interviews with women terrorists, websites, videos, pamphlets, and books—she provides a vivid and compelling portrait of the women who are recruited to kill.

Genres: Nonfiction, Terrorism, History, Politics, Gender

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Faras_bookclub]

3.5/5

Interesting insights, I actually had not heard much about female terrorists, let alone suicide bombers so in general this was already interesting to read about but the research was well done and you really get insight into the bigger issues and the different reasons these women have to participate as well as the personal anecdotes of some. I’m also almost embarrassed to say that some of these conflicts such as the one from Sri Lanka was completely foreign to me, I’m shocked I’ve never heard of it.

[Lucy Smith]

A staple when looking into women terrorists.

[Marta]

not bad pero hay cada cosa que...me ha gustado porque me ha ayudado con la tesis pero hay algunas takes suyas que sobran

[C M]

In Bombshell terrorism expert Mia Bloom focuses on the role of women in terrorists organizations. Focusing particularly, but not exclusively, on suicide terrorism, Bloom looks at women terrorists in Chechnya, (Northern) Ireland, Palestine, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Written for a broader audience, the research is almost exclusively based on journalistic sources, particularly interviews with female terrorists.

The book will probably not appeal to people who are not very interested in the topic, as the chapters are long and at times overly detailed (too many confusing names of individuals and organizations). I would advice them to read the final, short chapter, which makes some very interesting general observations of the main reasons women become (suicide) terrorists and suggests some way to counter women terrorists.

[Mary]

If you thought all terrorists, especially suicide bombers, were male, then this book will show you the truth. Women, while few in number, can be successful terrorists. The book delves into several terrorist organizations throughout the world and looks at specific women in these organizations. How did they get involved? Were they coerced or did they choose to do this of their own free will? Some of the answers to these questions are what you would think and some answers are totally surprising. Mia Bloom is an expert on terrorism and has written an excellent book on the "softer" side of terrorism.

[Hali]

Mia Bloom was able to compile information about how women are involved in terrorism and the different ways that they participate. It was rather enlightening. I would have like a bit longer section on how to go about educating women in order to stop the willing participation within terrorism but all-in-all a good and educational read.

[Ali]

Very interesting look at six different groups with a large number of female terrorists. Bloom looks at why the joined the terrorist groups and, especially, why many female terrorists become suicide bombers.

Required reading for my Terrorism Studies class

[Monica]

I only read the IRA section, so I can't really review the whole book.

[Meredith Ann]

a well researched insight into the lives of female terrorists, both those willing & able to give themselves for the cause and those forced into terrorism.

[Allison Bland]

A fascinating read if you're into women's studies, current events, history, and/or non-fiction.