Customer Reviews

Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies

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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.

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.

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.