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.
Intended Audience
This is an excellent text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses such as Issues in Terrorism, Conflict and Terrorism, International Relations, and Social Problems in departments of criminal justice, criminology, sociology, and political science.
