Terrorism: A History

by Randall D. Law

We live in an era dominated by terrorism but struggle to understand its meaning and the real nature of the threat. In this new edition of his widely acclaimed survey of the topic, Randall Law makes sense of the history of terrorism by examining it within its broad political, religious and social contexts and tracing its development from the ancient world to the 21st century. In Terrorism: A History, Law reveals how the very definition of the word has changed, how the tactics and strategies of terrorism have evolved, and how those who have used it adapted to revolutions in technology, communications, and political ideologies.

Terrorism: A History extensively covers such topics as jihadist violence, state terror, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Northern Ireland, anarcho-terrorism, and the Ku Klux Klan, plus lesser known movements in Uruguay and Algeria, as well as the pre-modern uses of terror in ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and the French Revolution.

This thoroughly revised edition features up-to-date analysis of:
- Al-Qaeda's affiliates and the "franchising" of jihadism
- "Lone wolf" violence in the United States and Europe
- Sri Lanka's victory over the Tamil Tigers

Other features include updated and expanded bibliographies in each chapter, more scholarly citations, and a new conclusion, making Terrorism: A History the go-to book for those wishing to understand the real nature and importance of this ubiquitous phenomenon.

Genres: History, Terrorism, Sociology, Nonfiction, Politics

378 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mz · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://bookpress.gr/kritikes/istoria...

[Schar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The origins of terrorism in the Middle East are a tangled web, stemming combination of history of colonialism, can’t make a decent state, the enduring Arab-Israeli conflict, and the surge of radical ideologies. This mix has given rise to a multitude of terrorist factions, including notorious groups like ISIS and the ancient Hashashin( if I said it right).

Now, a shadowy network of spies and terrorists has infiltrated America, but I’m relieved to see our new President stepping up to defend our nation's integrity and ensure the safety of its people. Since they are all spread out through United States of America, it is not possible to ascertain the identities of individuals affiliated with the terrorist espionage network.

Now, picture this: you wake up one day to the shocking revelation that your in-laws are terrorists. As you stroll down the street hand in hand with your spouse, you can’t shake the feeling of unease, knowing that you’re entangled with a family that walks a dangerous line. It’s a surreal twist of fate—sharing a bed with someone whose lineage is steeped in chaos and conflict. What a wild ride life can be!

[Jade Burbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written and is very easy to follow. The timeline makes sense and it is laid out in a way where you can see how past experiences directly affected the next. I found the earlier parts of the book to be slower and harder for me to ready, but that is personal preference.

[Maebel Fartballs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a class but was a solid read. Very nice timeline that was easy to follow. Felt as though some events were given more analysis than others and got repetitive. Overall thought the close to unbiased stance was nice.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go to book when I am looking at terrorist groups. Well written and a sensible theoretical approach.