Synopses & Reviews
Widely praised by critics and experts, Bruce Hoffman's Inside Terrorism quickly became a crucial resource for anyone interested in understanding terrorism, its historical evolution, and the terrorist mindset. In this eagerly anticipated revised edition, Bruce Hoffman considers developments in global terrorism since the book was first published in 1998. He provides an informative analysis of the new adversaries, motivations, and tactics that have surfaced in recent years and addresses the challenges involved in preventing future terrorist acts.
Exploring the threats posed by contemporary terrorists, Hoffman explains how al Qaeda has changed since 9/11 and the reasons behind its resiliency, resonance, and longevity. He pays close attention to their use of the Internet and videotapes to build support and gain new recruits. Hoffman also evaluates potential repercussions of the Iraqi insurgency; the use of suicide bombers; and the likelihood of a chemical, biological, or nuclear terrorist strike. Hoffman argues that the attacks on the World Trade Center fundamentally changed the West's view of the terrorist threat. He assesses changes in the media's coverage of terrorism, the effectiveness of current counterterrorist efforts, and the challenge of balancing civil liberties and the need for security.
Hoffman also broadens the book's historical scope, recounting several key chapters in the history of terrorism, including the French Revolution, Latin American revolutionary movements in the 1960s, and the evolution of the PLO. Closer to home, the Timothy McVeigh case and the threats posed by American Christian white supremacists and abortion opponents are also discussed.
Synopsis
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.