Terrorism: A Guide to Events and Documents

(Hardback)

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Description

Provides a much-needed realistic perspective on the leading contemporary issue, focusing on the purposes underlying terrorist acts and the methods and tactics terrorists use to achieve their goals The attacks of September 11, 2001, thrust terrorism to the forefront of critical issues facing the contemporary world and inaugurated the 'War on Terror'. This timely, accessible book examines the phenomenon of terrorism, discussing the methods, tactics, and weapons used by terrorists and exploring the attraction that terrorism holds for many individuals, groups, and movements. Whether seeking to learn more about a specific terrorist group or act, researching the potential use of weapons of mass destruction by terrorists, or searching for primary documents on the subject, Terrorism: A Guide to Events and Documents is a must-have resource. The book begins by defining terrorism and exploring the philosophy that underlies it. It provides a narrative history and chronology of world terrorism; describes the most important terrorist groups, both past and present; and details four historically important terrorist acts - a 1906 lynching in Tennessee, a massive flaunting of power by the Ku Klux Klan from 1915 to 1925, Black September's attack on Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics in 1972, and the traumatic events of September 11, 2001 - that illustrate the key strategies that terrorists employ and the wide range of goals that motivates them. It also includes a number of significant primary documents, ranging from official government overviews of the terrorist threat and international agreements related to terrorism, to U.S. presidential declarations on the subject and statements issued by terrorists themselves, in which they attempt to clarify their own motivations and intentions. Examines different types of terrorism - political, ideological, individual, and state-sponsored Covers the philosophy and history of terrorism, types of terrorism, weapons used, and major terrorist groups Provides case studies of four historically important terrorist acts Includes a chronology of significant terrorist events and key documents

Reviews

[U]seful for secondary students and the general public seeking an accesible overview as well as highlights of the subject. It is recommended for high-school and public public libraries.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
As befits an introductory work of this kind, these chapters are short, broadly informative, and the writing clear and accessible. In the course of them Kronenwetter also raises interesting questions about how the boundaries of legitimate and illegitimate violence are to be policed, about how much responsibility ordinary "innocent" citizens of representative democracies should take for the violent actions of their governments, and about the romantic attraction of the terrorist figure as rebel and outlaw, questions that might provide a useful starting point for classroom discussions on the subject.-H-Amstdy
Kronenwetter's book is seminal to an understanding of terrorism. Honest, insightful, and easily understood, his book articulates the core ideals of terrorism and expertly presents its philosophical motivations within a historical context. Professionals and practitioners will find the work especially useful and beneficial. Highly recommended. All levels of readers.-Choice
Kronenwetter's work is a useful tool for the thoughtful, mature student who want to study terrorism beyond the headlines. The chronology of terrorist events serves as a springboard for further research. Recommended.-Library Media Connection
This surprisingly comprehensive source is an eye-opoening guide to the broad spectrum of activities occuring now and throughout world history that could be considered terrorism....Students wanting to know "why they hate us" or who the terrorists are (definitely not all Middle Easterners), will glean a great deal of information from this fascinating and recommended resource.-VOYA
"As befits an introductory work of this kind, these chapters are short, broadly informative, and the writing clear and accessible. In the course of them Kronenwetter also raises interesting questions about how the boundaries of legitimate and illegitimate violence are to be policed, about how much responsibility ordinary "innocent" citizens of representative democracies should take for the violent actions of their governments, and about the romantic attraction of the terrorist figure as rebel and outlaw, questions that might provide a useful starting point for classroom discussions on the subject."-H-Amstdy
"Useful for secondary students and the general public seeking an accesible overview as well as highlights of the subject. It is recommended for high-school and public public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"[U]seful for secondary students and the general public seeking an accesible overview as well as highlights of the subject. It is recommended for high-school and public public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"Kronenwetter's book is seminal to an understanding of terrorism. Honest, insightful, and easily understood, his book articulates the core ideals of terrorism and expertly presents its philosophical motivations within a historical context. Professionals and practitioners will find the work especially useful and beneficial. Highly recommended. All levels of readers."-Choice
"Kronenwetter's work is a useful tool for the thoughtful, mature student who want to study terrorism beyond the headlines. The chronology of terrorist events serves as a springboard for further research. Recommended."-Library Media Connection
"This surprisingly comprehensive source is an eye-opoening guide to the broad spectrum of activities occuring now and throughout world history that could be considered terrorism....Students wanting to know "why they hate us" or who the terrorists are (definitely not all Middle Easterners), will glean a great deal of information from this fascinating and recommended resource."-VOYA

Author Bio

MICHAEL KRONENWETTER is the author of many books on U.S. history and social issues, including Encyclopedia of Modern American Social Issues, and How Democratic is the United States