Terrorism in Perspective

For a sample syllabus using this book in a semester-length course, please click on the 'sample chapters and materials' button at left.

The Second Edition of Terrorism in Perspective, like its successful predecessor, takes a broad-based approach that emphasizes the historical, political, religious, social, and economic perceptions that underlie an understanding of both global and domestic terrorism. This unique text-reader combines original essays with the best of the existing literature on terrorism. Using a conceptual scheme that focuses on acts of terrorism and their relationship to culture, religion, history, politics, economics, and ideology, the chapters of this text begin with a 10-15 page overview followed by two relevant and engaging articles culled from a wide variety of popular, academic, and governmental sources. This is the only major terrorism text to incorporate readings from top terrorism experts into a traditional textbook format.

New to the Second Edition

• Examines the “what, where, and why” of terrorism: A new Chapter 1 provides a solid foundation for the rest of the book covering issues related to the definition of terrorism; the quantity, location and type of terrorist incidents around the globe; and the sociological and criminological theories that help explain terrorism.
• Expands discussion of state-sponsored terrorism: A new reprint is included on the history of state-sponsors of terrorism (Chapter 2).
• Provides updated, comprehensive coverage of key terrorism topics: Numerous updated reprinted articles analyze current events in terrorism, including reprints by Jessica Stern (Chapter 4), Bruce Hoffman (Chapter 4), and Peter Bergen and Alec Reynolds (Chapter 9).
• Expands biographies: Includes new biographies of the leaders of Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers and Mexico’s Zapatista National Liberation Front (Chapter 3).
• Offers a deeper focus on suicide bombing and on al-Qaeda: Sparked by ever-growing interest in both this gruesome terrorist tactic and into this infamous terrorist organization, new and expanded coverage of both has been added to this edition.