Product Description

"Martyrs" offers interviews with terrorist trainers, with the families of suicide bombers, fighter and fanatics, and with Muslim scholars offering differing opinions on the legitimacy of violence in Islam. Through the voices of those who plan and those who grieve, this book provides insights into the zealotry that leads to the targeting of innocents, the endless cycle of revenge, and the despair that besets the Middle East. From Iran to Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, Joyce Davis reports on the rage that drives tragedies and at the despondency of the mothers of those who die and kill. Unsettling as the perspectives presented here may be, they are crucial for understanding, though not accepting, the fury at and resentment of the US.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #955986 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
.,."timely, informative and well-written book...a 'must read' book for those seeking to understand..."--L.O. Imade, Choice
.,."an evenhanded...investigation of martyrdom."--Stephen J. Lyons, "USA Today"
"From the author of "Between Jihad and Salaam" (1997) comes this insightful, balanced discussion of a hot-button subject."--David Pitt, "Booklist"
""Martyrs" is must reading for all seeking to understand the causes of the anti-Americanism, violence and terror that has engulfed the Middle East. Davis breaks new ground in her engaging, informed, frank and provocative analysis of the people behind jihad, martyrdom and suicide bombing, shedding light on their impact in the Middle East and America."
--John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, author of "Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam"
"Davis has done her homework in providing an enlightening and well-documented analysis of acts of vengeance in the recent Middle East. Her reporting is balanced, candid and true to the facts. An important text in helping the layperson understand the ramifications of U.S. foreign policy decisions in the Middle East over the last several decades."
--Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad, Georgetown University
"Do suicide bombers perceive themselves as making a choice? That is the central question in this horrible phenomenon. With attention to detail from victims like young Mohammed al-Dirra to the "choice" by young women like Loula Abboud, Davis chronicles the trajectory from history to despair to hope, and in each case, asks why this happened.. and how to get out."
--Jacki Lyden, host and correspondent, All Things Considered, NPR News

About the Author
JOYCE M. DAVIS is Deputy Foreign Editor at Knight Ridder newspapers and her articles appear widely.