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Synopsis
Provides a much-needed realistic perspective on the nation's leading hot-button issue, focusing on the purposes underlying terrorist acts and the methods and tactics terrorists use to achieve their goals.
Kevin Beach - VOYA
This surprisingly comprehensive source is an eye-opening guide to the broad spectrum of activities occurring now and throughout world history that could be considered terrorism. The text begins with a thorough examination of terrorism as a broadly defined term and as a political concept. A tour of its history follows, from the Zealots and thugs of the ancient world to the anarchists and guerillas of the modern era. The rationale and cost-effectiveness of terrorism is examined along with its many weapons: suicide bombings, assassins, lynchings, hijackings, letter bombs, water supply poisoning, and weapons of mass destruction. Another section of the book examines the many well-established groups from Al Qaeda to the Ulster Defense Association. It ends with a detailed look at four events that best define the far-reaching aspects of the phenomenon of terrorism, one of which is the September 11 attack on the United States. A sad chronology of American attacks begins with the Nat Turner revolt in 1831 and ends with a car bombing in 2003 that injured three Americans in Baghdad. An appendix details many U.S. laws and documents that define terrorism or identify international terrorist organizations. Bin Laden's chilling "Letter to America" is reprinted here in its entirety. Photos and bibliographic references throughout the book refer the reader to other primary and secondary sources. 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. 2004, Greenwood, 298p.; Index. Photos. Biblio. Source Notes. Chronology. Appendix., PLB Ages 11 to Adult.