Invitation to Terror: The Expanding Empire of the Unknown

(Paperback)

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Frank Furedi argues that Western culture appears to feed off a diet of terror and inadvertently offers its enemies an invitation to be terrorised. We have not developed an intellectual framework in which to be able to confront the fear of terrorism. The language we use betrays confusion about the threat we face and therefore undermines our capacity to engage with it. Beginning with the question of Why do they hate us' we find ourselves unsure of who they' are. Even more unsettling is the realisation that we are not quite sure of who we' are. In this startling and original book Frank Furedi engages with some of the most fundamental questions confronting society today.
We are in a global conflict that appears so confusing that we are not even certain what to call it. The failure to conceptualize the issues at stake is demonstrated by the absence of consensus around even what words to describe the meaning of the present conflict and enemy. Suddenly governments stop speaking about the War on Terror and talk about the Long War. The shift in terminology often betrays confusion about the issues at stake. Lack of clarity about what this war is about, who are the protagonists, its scope and duration dominates discussions on this conflict. Meaningless terms often represent an attempt to evade. In this case they express confusion and the inability to make sense of life in the twenty-first century.

Reviews

Mentioned on Social Vision (web), October 2007 -- Social Vision (web)
"Invitation to Terror has a relevence to policy makers far outside of the security arena" -- Tribune
"He (Frand Furedi) is good at noticing history repeating itself - for example, in 'the periodic discovery that terrorism represents a new and unprecedented danger' - and interrogates usefully the notions of 'vulnerability' or being 'at risk'" -- Saturday Guardian
"This book is fresh, well written, awash with lightly worn learning and so confident in its perspective that the argument... gathers pace with such vigour as each chapter rolls by that the book's end it seems well-nigh irrefutable"--Times Higher Educational Supplement -- Times Higher Educational Supplement
''Invitation to Terror is a bold attempt to face important and disturbing questions, and hits a number of its targets'' John Dunn, Times Literary Supplement, August 2008
Interview, Kent (University Magazine). Spring 2008.
"Furedi is a sociologist, adept at the analysis of culture." The Times Literary Supplement, August 2008
Publication mentioned in 'Kent' the magazine for University of Kent, Spring 2008
Author mentioned title in article. TimesOnline, 15 March 2009
Title mentioned, Sunday Herald (Glasgow). 3 May 2009.
Author article on media fear, Sunday Herald. 3 May 2009.
Discussion of topic, The Australian. 4 February 2009.
"Author and University of Kent sociologist Furedi (Culture of Fear Revisited) stakes out a bold position in this exploration of the War on Terrorin particular, its 'self-fulfilling prophecy' effect, inspiring fear and passivity regardless of the actual danger. The only thing new about the 'new terrorism,' Furedi claims, is the perception that it's any more sophisticated or effective than it used to be. Citing the resilience of populations who coped with attacks far beyond the capabilities of today's terroristssuch as the Nazi blitz and the Allied bombings of Hamburg and HiroshimaFuredi argues convincingly that 'terrorism cannot seriously threaten the integrity of society nor undermine the way of life of a nation.' Though the British and American governments do have that power, Furedi contends that the War on Terror is less a deliberate effort to cow or manipulate than it is a sincere but wrong-headed attempt to mobilize popular supportrooted in fact and genuine concernby leaders who don't understand that 'society can absorb occasional acts of terror,' but becomes disoriented and demoralized living in a protracted state of fear. Referencing hundreds of independent studies, government reports and media commentary, Furedi contributes an insightful argument for a realistic, level-headed and self-aware approach to the problem of terrorism." (Dec.) -Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *

Author Bio

Frank Furedi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent, UK. He is the author of fourteen books including Why Education isn't Educating (2010), The Politics of Fear (2007), Where have all the Intellectuals Gone (2005), Therapy Culture (2003) and Paranoid Parenting (2001).Furedi'sbooks offer an authoritative yet lively account of key developments in contemporary cultural life, with a particular interest in precautionary culture and risk aversion in the West. He is the UK sociologist most widely cited by the UK media and his books have been translated into eleven languages. He appearsfrequently on television and radio in the English speaking world and beyond and he publishes regular articles with a range of newspapers. Frank Furedi fled to England in 1956 from Hungary. He was appointed Professor of Social Studies at the University of Kent but celebrated also as a pundit and public intellectual throughout the English speaking world. His most celebrated books include Paranoid Parenting (reissued by Continuum) The Culture of Fear and Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone. His books are widely reviewed and he is on the lecture circuit from Chatham House to Adelaide. Frank Furedi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent at Canterbury. He is the author of numerous books including Culture of Fear, Invitation to Terror and Paranoid Parenting, all published by Continuum.