Product Description

Bruce Hoffman's Inside Terrorism has remained a seminal work for understanding the historical evolution of terrorism and the terrorist mindset. In this revised edition of the classic text, Hoffman analyzes the new adversaries, motivations, and tactics of global terrorism that have emerged in recent years, focusing specifically on how al Qaeda has changed since 9/11; the reasons behind its resiliency, resonance, and longevity; and its successful use of the Internet and videotapes to build public support and gain new recruits. Hoffman broadens the discussion by evaluating the potential repercussions of the Iraqi insurgency, the use of suicide bombers, terrorist exploitation of new communications media, and the likelihood of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear terrorist strike.Closer to home, Hoffman reconsiders the Timothy McVeigh case and the threats posed by American Christian white supremacists and abortion opponents as well as those posed by militant environmentalists and animal rights activists. He argues that the attacks on the World Trade Center fundamentally transformed the West's view of the terrorist threat.More relevant and necessary than ever, Inside Terrorism continues to be the definitive work on the history and future of global terrorism.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #55918 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

Review
"For its historical and political examination of terrorism, Inside Terrorism is a valuable work... It falls into the category of 'must read' at least for anyone who wants to understand how we can respond to international acts of terror." -- Raymond Bonner, New York Times Book Review , reviewing a previous edition or volume "A revised and expanded edition of the RAND scholar's classic work." -- Atlantic Monthly "Hoffman's more rigorous appraisal, ought to be required reading as the rhetoric mounts this campaign season." -- Aziz Huq, American Prospect "A must read to all academics or practitioners who are dealing with the issue of terrorism." -- mindef.gov.sg "Brilliant... The best one-volume introduction to the phenomenon." -- The Washington Post "Any collection strong in terrorist literature and military history will find Hoffman's analysis of ongoing importance." -- Bookwatch "One of the best primers on the subject." -- Washingtonian "The most widely read book on terrorism [Its] comprehensiveness will greatly benefit its readers." -- Joshua Sinai, The Washington Times "One of the Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International's 25 Top Books for Today's Bookshelf on Terrorism."

About the Author
Bruce Hoffman is a professor at Georgetown University's Edmund A Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is also a senior fellow at the Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, and editor of the Columbia University Press series Columbia Studies in Terrorism and Irregular Warfare.

Customer Reviews

Comments by Michael Calum Jacques, author of '1st Century Radical'.
The author's profile is impressive: Prof Bruce Hoffman has been studying terrorism and insurgency for over thirty years. He is a professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University, Washington, DC and has previously held the Corporate Chair in Counter-terrorism and Counter-insurgency at the RAND Corporation as well as having been the Acting Director of RAND's Centre for Middle East Public Policy.

Perhaps the most important contribution this unquestionably scholarly work makes to society in general is that it alerts us to the fragile balance under which most societies operate and the fine line betwixt an apparently 'normal' mindset and distinctly radical, extremist one. As a previous reviewer has pointed out, Hoffman, depicts terrorists as, largely, in many respects, being like 'the person in the street'. This is as worrying for many as it is unquestionably true for all.

The process of radicalisation is an altogether absorbing science in itself. Fortunately, it is something that has been around quite literally for millenia now and - for every dark cloud (and, let's face it, the clouds of terror are starker than most) has a silver lining - after each attack or terror act, we are able to improve our databases, enhance our understanding and, thus, our opportunities to profile more accurately and prevent the next attempted act.

This book is specialised but not too much so and this reviewer believes that it will be an interesting read for most. The precise causes underpinning a propensity or tendency towards radicalisation lie deep within the human psyche and its profound well of insecurities et al. This book will help to throw light on this and other related topics for many.

Michael Calum Jacques (author of 1st Century Radical: the shadowy origins of the man who became known as Jesus Christ)

Brilliant if you want to look beyond the hype and headlines
I found this book very interesting, as, unlike most books on terrorism it looks beyond the hype and the headlines and the propaganda and looks at terrorism from a neutral academic perspective, thus revealing details on this phenomenon which are rarely touched upon. Throughout the book you can tell that Bruce Hoffman is a professional who knows what he's talking about, who understands terrorism like very few people do and wants to share this with you. The very fact that he describes terrorists as "normal people rather than the crazed wild-eyed individuals we're conditioned to expect" shows that this is a book that really should be read by anyone who wants to know whats really behind the terror. Excellent.

An intriguing introduction.
This is an interesting and overdue introduction to the studt of terrorism that should grace the shelves of anyone with an interest of the subject. While not being the most comprehensive of tomes, Dr. Hoffman does make this book an excellent first text on the subject.

I personally found a few contradictions within this book, not to mention a number of points and arguments I strongly disagree with, but this does not diminish the fact that it is what I would consider to be the best first text on this subject. If you are interested in studying this phenomenon or just have a passing interest this is the book that I do recommend. Buy it, think about it and hopefully look into the area of terrorism more deeply.