Bombshell: Women and Terrorism

by Mia Bloom

Between 1985 and 2008, female suicide bombers committed more than 230 attacks—about a quarter of all such acts. Women have become the ideal stealth weapon for terrorist groups. They are less likely to be suspected or searched and as a result have been used to strike at the heart of coalition troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. This alarming tactic has been highly effective, garnering extra media attention and helping to recruit more numbers to the terrorists' cause. Yet, as Mia Bloom explains in Women and Terrorism , female involvement in terrorism is not confined to suicide bombing and not limited to the Middle East.

From Northern Ireland to Sri Lanka, women have been engaged in all manner of terrorist activities, from generating propaganda to blowing up targets. What drives women to participate in terrorist activities? Bloom—a scholar of both international studies and women's studies—blends scrupulous research with psychological insight to unearth affecting stories from women who were formerly terrorists. She moves beyond gender stereotypes to examine the conditions that really influence female violence, arguing that while women terrorists can be just as bloodthirsty as their male counterparts, their motivations tend to be more intricate and multilayered. Through compelling case studies she demonstrates that though some of these women volunteer as martyrs, many more have been coerced by physical threats or other means of social control.

As evidenced by the March 2011 release of Al Qaeda's magazine Al Shamikha , dubbed the jihadi Cosmo , it is clear that women are the future of even the most conservative terrorist organizations. Bombshell is a groundbreaking book that reveals the inner workings of a shocking, unfamiliar world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Terrorism, History, Politics, Gender

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lucy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A staple when looking into women terrorists.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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