Customer Reviews

The State of Terror (S U N Y Series in Deviance and Social Control)

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Oliverio delves deeply into the roots of statecraft and how those roots intertwine with terrorism. Clearly the author finds the musings of an early Austrian, Machiavelli, sadly relevant to the modern scene.

The State of Terror is a must read for anyone who desires a sophisticated analysis of terror. The book explains how we have been misled by both the political right and left on the issue of terrorism.

The author must have psychic powers and a clear, analytic mind. Oliverio's argument published in 1998 should have been read by U.S. foreign policy makers. She makes a cogent argument for considering the ways in which people and organizations of power use the concept of terror to hid their own uses of terrorism.

Although this book had been recommended to me by first class scholars, I did not read it until this week because I assumed the work would not be relevant after Septermber 11, 2001. The fact is it is more relevant now then ever before. In many ways, I interpret her to be saying that she loves her countries by loves justice more, much as Camus said long ago. Justice, an analysis of the politics of deviance and terrorism, a global perspective, and a beautiful analysis of the role of theater in the political arenas are only a small part of this poignant book.

The book is an important caution for those of us who struggle for freedom and search to create a humane state. With the rising use once again in Latin America of the instruments of oppression, the book cautions us to watch the state, itself. Read it and worry!

This book is more interesting than the Titanic. The icing is the scholarly tone and the sophisticated literal agility of the Italian author.