Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies [Paperback]

C. (Clarence) Augustus (Gus) Martin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1412953138 | ISBN-13: 978-1412953139 | Publication Date: November 28, 2007

"Essentials of Terrorism is an ideal anchor textbook for investigating the many aspects of terrorism, political violence, and homeland security. That it is easily adapted to these subjects means that instructors will be able to design a variety of instructional packages around it. In this way, the text is a versatile resource." -SirReadaLot.org

Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies is a comprehensive yet compact resource that provides a thorough introduction to many facets of the world of modern terrorism. This briefer, captivating version of Gus Martin’s popular text Understanding Terrorism, Second Edition is an effective stand-alone textbook for undergraduate classes. It can also be used effectively in conjunction with other resources, such as Martin’s collection of readings The New Era of Terrorism or with other supplemental books or journal articles for an upper-level undergraduate or master’s level audience.


Key Features
• Provides a foundation for understanding terrorism: Extensive coverage in Chapter 1 helps readers grasp and define the concept of terrorism; each chapter includes extensive historical background.
• Presents simple, helpful pedagogical aids to bolster learning: Chapter introductions, chapter perspectives, chapter summaries, discussion boxes, and a glossary bring key concepts to life for students.
• Offers engaging coverage of cutting-edge issues: The author addresses contemporary topics, including gender-selective terrorism, media coverage of terrorism issues and related ethical issues, the Internet and terrorism, and religious terrorism. Martin provides additional coverage of the conflict in Iraq to illustrate its impact on international terrorism.
• Includes stimulating illustrative aids: Maps and dramatic photos help show the locations of terrorist activity and the devastation caused by terrorist activity; tables and figures allow readers to conduct valuable comparison research and analysis.


Ancillaries
• A student study site is available containing introductions to journal articles, recommended Web sites, full-text journal articles tied to each chapter, e-flashcards, Web exercises, and more. www.sagepub.com/martinessstudy

• Instructors’ Resources on CD-ROM provide professors with a test bank, maps, PowerPoint presentations, activity and lecture suggestions, and more.


Intended Audience:
This is an excellent text, either alone or with readings or other materials, for undergraduate and graduate courses in Terrorism, Homeland Security, International Security, Criminal Justice Administration, Political Conflict, Armed Conflict, and Social Movements in departments of criminal justice, sociology, and political science. It is also suitable for professionals who require instruction in understanding terrorism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essentials of Terrorism is a stimulating and engaging text, either alone or with readings or other materials, for undergraduate and graduate courses in Terrorism, Homeland Security, International Security, Criminal Justice Administration, Political Conflict, Armed Conflict, and Social Movements in departments of the criminal justice, sociology, and political science. Essentials of Terrorism is an ideal anchor textbook for investigating the many aspects of terrorism, political violence, and homeland security." (SirReadaLot.org SirReadaLot.org )

"The book offers an innovative way of looking at educational research from a vicarious point of view that allows the reader to become engaged and experience the text through the eyes of the researcher and research participants. It creates a simple understanding of the text and allows its readers to reach their own conclusions as they experience multiculturalism in different contexts." (M. Djebrane, L. C. Burciaga, L. Duarte, G. Runkles Multicultural Education )

About the Author

C. Augustus “Gus” Martin is Assistant Vice President for Faculty Affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he is also the former chair of the Department of Public Administration & Public Policy. He has served on the faculty of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Administration of Justice professor. His research and professional interests are terrorism and extremism, juvenile justice, administration of justice, and fair housing. He has served as a panelist for university and community symposia and interviews on the subjects of administration of justice, terrorism, and fair housing. He has also been a consultant to government and private agencies. Prior to joining academia, he was a “floor” legislative assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York and Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, he served as managing attorney for the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, where he was also director of a program created under a federal consent decree to desegregate public and assisted housing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc (November 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412953138
• ISBN-13: 978-1412953139
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #952,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good Textbook, July 1, 2011

By 

Profr R. Cohenalmagor "rafi cohen-almagor" (england) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (Paperback)

I recommend this book and intend to incorporate it into my courses. It provides an engaging look on modern terrorism, explains basic concepts and provides students with many examples to illustrate trends, developments and scope of modern terror. The illustrations, photos and clear writing make it very accessible to students.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Even Close to Objectivity, October 24, 2010

By 

Taylor M. (TBD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (Paperback)

This work is perfect for someone seeking the topic of terrorism as seen through the lens of American Foreign and National Security Policy. However, Martin fails in elaborating on the roots of the roots of terrorism as seen through the eyes of non-western powers.

Inaccuracies should also be noted, especially in the weak explanation of second and third wave terrorism, the weakening of certain international terrorist organizations, a completely pro-Israeli description of Intifada, and historical descriptions of Thuggies and Hashasheen (assassins).

I found it particularly horrifying that one of Martin's discussion points was on the validity of torture and domestic warrantless wiretapping, sans any mention of violating federal law, international treaties (Geneva, UNCAT, etc), or the rule of law itself. Martin left a further sour taste by actually leaving the question of torture open-ended, without mention of Supreme Court decisions, international outcry, etc. If Martin wishes to breech an issue such as that, then he should at least mention that Abu Ghraib served as a massively effective recruiting tool for the enemy.

Likewise, Martin failed to mention the part that the United States played in training and supplying the Mujahideen, which is an important consideration when analyzing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The list goes on: blowback from supporting Saddam Hussein, blowback from covert actions by the US and UK to depose Mohamed Mosaddegh in 1953.

Ignoring everything said up until now though, Martin presents a somewhat decent survey work on terrorism. However, composing such a work is utterly useless when written from a subjective (rather than objective) point of view that follows the major talking points of the United States, the unitary superpower of the world.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, January 25, 2010

By 

A. Sanders "bookworm13" - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (Paperback)

I used this book to give me a brief overview of terrorism for a grad class I was taking. I thought this book did a great job of giving the reader a good introduction, which includes historical and modern context. It was an easy read for someone who is looking for a basis to start researching this topic.