Middle Eastern Terrorism: From Black September to September 11

by Mark Ensalaco

Selected by Choice magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title Since the first airplane hijacking by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in September 1970, Middle Eastern terrorists have sacrificed innocent human lives in the name of ideology. From Black September to the Munich Olympics, to the embassy bombing in Beirut, to the devastating attacks of September 11 and beyond, terrorism has emerged as the most important security concern of our time. "Where did this come from?" Inspired by a student's question on the morning of September 11, 2001, Mark Ensalaco has written a thoroughly researched narrative account of the origins of Middle Eastern terrorism, addressing when and why terrorists started targeting Americans and American interests and what led to the September 11 attacks. Ensalaco reveals the changing of motivations from secular Palestinian nationalism to militant Islam and demonstrates how competition among terrorists for resources and notoriety has driven them to increasingly extreme tactics. As he argues, terrorist attacks grew from spectacle to atrocity. Drawing on popular works and scholarly sources, Middle Eastern Terrorism tells this story in rich detail and with great clarity and insight.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

328 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 2007

Reviews

[John Lambk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting information reguarding the history of terrorism, as well as why certain terrorist attacks occur, and how certain attacks effect certain places in certain ways. It shows how terrorism can deeply effect the victimized location due to thousands of deaths and millions of dollars in repairs. Being that terrorism is a serious and terrible topic, I feel reading up a little about it was important and can be good.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

So i'm biased on this one.