Bombshell Many Faces Women Terrorists

by Mia Bloom

The ultimate stealth weapon, female terrorists kill on average four times more people than their male counterparts. This text seeks to understand what motivates women and to redress the gap in our understanding of women's roles by interviewing women previously involved in terrorist groups.

Genres: Nonfiction, Terrorism, History, Politics, Gender

240 pages, Paperback

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.