We live in an era dominated by terrorism but struggle to understand its meaning and the real nature of the threat. In this new edition of his widely acclaimed survey of the topic, Randall Law makes sense of the history of terrorism by examining it within its broad political, religious and social contexts and tracing its development from the ancient world to the 21st century. In Terrorism: A History, Law reveals how the very definition of the word has changed, how the tactics and strategies of terrorism have evolved, and how those who have used it adapted to revolutions in technology, communications, and political ideologies.

Terrorism: A History extensively covers such topics as jihadist violence, state terror, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, Northern Ireland, anarcho-terrorism, and the Ku Klux Klan, plus lesser known movements in Uruguay and Algeria, as well as the pre-modern uses of terror in ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and the French Revolution.

This thoroughly revised edition features up-to-date analysis of:
* Al-Qaeda's affiliates and the "franchising" of jihadism
* "Lone wolf" violence in the United States and Europe
* Sri Lanka's victory over the Tamil Tigers

Other features include updated and expanded bibliographies in each chapter, more scholarly citations, and a new conclusion, making Terrorism: A History the go-to book for those wishing to understand the real nature and importance of this ubiquitous phenomenon.

About the Author
Randall D. Law is Associate Professor of History at Birmingham-Southern College.

Reviews

"Exceptionally rich and sophisticated in analysis, Randal Law's much needed updated edition of Terrorism: A History is a welcome addition to the currently available literature and deserves to be read not only by students and academic specialists but also by security analysts, policy makers and general readers".
Professor George Kassimeris, University of Wolverhampton

"Terrorism continues to evolve, not erode. Professor Law, in this second edition, continues his examination of this evolution up through ISIS and other contemporary violent actors and provides additional insights to increase your understanding of terrorism today. His book remains the one to read for anyone seeking to understand terrorism, its history, and the thinking and motivation of those who practice it."
Ed Rowe, Colonel, US Army (Ret.); Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff (Ret.)

"Law deserves a wide readership and many accolades for this thorough and interesting study."
H-War, H-Net Reviews

Book Information
ISBN 9780745690902
Author Randall D. Law
Format Paperback
Page Count 378
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 590g
Dimensions(mm) 224mm * 147mm * 38mm