Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind (Paperback)

~ Walter Reich (Author), Walter Laqueur (Foreword) "This book's focus is on the psychology of terrorism, yet many of its chapters are not concerned primarily with traditional psychological explorations and were written..." (more)
Key Phrases: secular terror, suicidal terrorist attacks, chain suicide, New York, West German, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A disquieting but fascinating book . . . Strongly recommended." -- —British Journal of Psychiatry

"An honest and penetrating effort to explain the role of human psychology in terrorism." -- —Canadian Journal of Political Science

"Pursue[s] the pathology of terrorism through the centuries . . . A fascinating amount of information." -- —Washington Post

Review

"Pursue[s] the pathology of terrorism through the centuries... A fascinating amount of information." -- Washington Post

"A disquieting but fascinating book... Strongly recommended." -- British Journal of Psychiatry

"An honest and penetrating effort to explain the role of human psychology in terrorism." -- Canadian Journal of Political Science

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Woodrow Wilson Center Press; 1 edition (September 18, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943875897
• ISBN-13: 978-0943875897
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #160,974 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Foundational Book on "Terrorist" Behavior, February 10, 1999

By	[e-mail] (San Bernardino, California) - See all my reviews

This book presents to its readers a clear foundation of the factors that lie behind the use of violence by groups, states, and/or individuals to gain their objectives.

The two primary articles in the book by Martha Crenshaw and Jerrold Post present two opposing views of the logic that lies behind political violent activity ("terrorists" activity). The case studies in the rest of the book support these two primary articles.

Any researcher in the field of political violence studies must have this book in their library.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and attempted balance, April 9, 2005

By	Ottyenaiya (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Origins of Terrorism attempts to both be balanced and discuss the psychologies of terrorists. The chapter by Martha Crenshaw (I recommend reading her book on terrorism rather than just the chapter) presents the opposing view to the chapter by Post. While interesting, the psychology advanced is mostly the "crazy terrorist" psychology. I didn't get much out of the book, except for the first two chapters and chapter 10. Chapter 10, which discusses terrorist motivations, is incredibly useful. The rest of the book is average but unremarkable.

4.0 out of 5 stars dated but educational and not a difficult read, November 19, 2008

By	C. Brown (Evanston, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was written before the huge surge in interest in terrorism in the United States brought on by 9/11. Since so much has been written since 1998, to read this book alone would leave the reader a bit behind the times on the subject. Nevertheless, I would recommend anyone interested in the topic starting here.

The parts dealing with the psychology of terror are quite relevant - how do terrorists justify to themselves what they do and how can engaging in terrorist acts alter the views of those who commit them? How do the defenders of terrorism in the name of religion get around prohibitions on suicide? If ever there were a vivid description of rationalization, you'll find it in the account of the views of a Lebanese cleric that adapt to the level of enthusiasm of the public, the judgments of peers and the effectiveness of terror. Success can do much to muffle opposition just as in conventional warfare techniques that were formerly abhorred can find favor if they prove useful. Who would have thought the President of the United States would scarcely hide his approval of torture (while denying it, of course).

You'll find a good historical summary of the Weathermen in the United States, the Bader/Meinhof Gang in Germany and the IRA in Northern Ireland providing evidence of how terror acts on the population in general as well as those who plan and carry out the acts. Did terror do what it is hoped that it would do?

The book is not a difficult read but it is not a casual read either. You'll need to concentrate to follow the points of the several authors and keep their ideas in mind as you move from one to the next. If you do, you'll find broad coverage that approaches the subject from many angles and reaches back in time to the first century AD.

I'm keeping my copy as a good reference on the subject.