Terrorism: The Present Threat in Context

(Hardback)

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Description

When we think 'terrorism', our minds conjure up dramatic and horrifying images of hijackings, suicide bombings, assassinations and various other forms of brutal carnage. Placing terrorist acts within a historical context, this book helps us understand the causes, dynamics and outcomes of terrorism. Providing a concise history of terrorism since the French Revolution, the author considers the relationship between terrorism and warfare, crime, technology globalization and the state. He investigates the meaning of the word 'terrorism' and shows how the definition and practice have both evolved over time. Throughout, he considers what motivates terrorists and what they hope to accomplish. Written by a pioneer in the field, Terrorism: A Brief History offers a practical assessment of domestic and international threats to security. This book will help anyone concerned about terrorism learn to evaluate the risks in a rational way, devoid of the hysteria that so often dominates the subject.

Reviews

Featured in the top 25 books on Terrorism by ForeWord Magazine. 'This book could be the foundation on which one's terrorist education is built, though others exist as well. ... Sloan's compilation of facts and events is both accurate and to the point, and it is evident that he has spent many years researching and studying what makes terrorists tick. ... Terrorism: The Present Threat in Context should be the first book explored by anyone interested in studying the issue or expanding his or her knowledge of the subject.' Security Management 'Stephen Sloan has provided the general and specialist reader with the most useful of guidebooks to understanding why the post-Cold War security environment is so very different and what makes religiously motivated terrorism so unusual and dangerous. At the same time, he guides us past the myriad misinterpretations and misinformation that the media and numerous self-appointed, post-9/11 counter-terrorism 'experts' have unleashed. If one only reads one book this year on the subject of Al-Qaida and the War of Terror, it should be this book.' Sebestyen Gorka, Executive Director, Institute for Transitional Democracy and International Security (ITDIS) 'This masterful expose by a veteran academic expert of how terrorism's violence is "purposeful" enables us to understand its true and problematic nature and the appropriate measures required to defeat it.' Joshua Sinai, Program Manager, Terrorism Studies, Logos Technologies 'Dr. Sloan has placed a timely and complex subject squarely in the public domain. Important reading for anyone who wishes to better understand the history and current context of terrorism. He also draws on his personal experience to assist people and families to better cope with the results of terrorist activities. An informative, humane and thought-provoking text.' Robert T. Raffel, Senior Director of Public Safety, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

Author Bio

Stephen Sloan is University Professor and Fellow in the Global Perspectives Office at the University of Central Florida. He is the author of several books, including most recently, Terrorism: Assassins to Zealots, co-authored with Sean Kendall. John C. Bersia is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who writes for the Orlando Sentinel.