Voices of Terror: Manifestos, Writings and Manuals of Al Qaeda, Hamas, and other Terrorists from around the World and Throughout the Ages [Paperback]

Walter Laqueur (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1594290350 | ISBN-13: 978-1594290350 | Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Renowned historian and international scholar Walter Laqueur offers a sweeping survey of writing on one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: the use of violence as a tool for political change.

From ancient Roman tyrannicides and French revolutionaries to the Weathermen and Osama Bin Laden, Voices of Terror brings together 120 of history's most controversial figures, militant organizations and guerrilla groups for a rare glimpse into the minds behind the violence. This important new anthology includes a substantial selection of material by Islamist terrorists, about the evolving concept of jihad and on post-September 11, 2001 perspectives.

With commentary from Karl Marx, Emma Goldman, Mao Tse Tung, Che Guevara, and Menachem Begin, among others, and documents of al Qaeda, Hamas and the PLO, Voices of Terror is an essential resource for anyone interested in international current events.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Walter Laqueur has written dozens of books, including A History of Zionism, The Israel-Arab Reader, and The New Terrorism. He holds the Kissinger Chair for International Security Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc. (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594290350
• ISBN-13: 978-1594290350
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you want to know what we are up against..., October 1, 2004

By 

Jeffrey Morseburg (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Voices of Terror: Manifestos, Writings and Manuals of Al Qaeda, Hamas, and other Terrorists from around the World and Throughout the Ages (Paperback)

"Voices of Terror" is an important book. It does not have a narrative, simply some introductory and explanatory text to tie things together as it is simply a reference for those who wish to study the history, present state and future of terrorism. Assembled by Walter Laquer, who has a long background as a security and foreign policy, an expert with a deep knowledge of the Middle East, it is a well researched and selective compendium of written texts and manifestos that have justified and advanced the cause of political assassination and terrorism. First of all, Laquer correctly criticizes the use of the phrase "War on Terror" as he like others reminds us that terror is a means, a strategy that different groups with different agendas use, but it is not an ideology. Perhaps the Bush Administration is hesitant about declaring war on "Islamic Radicalism" or "Islamic Terror." The series of documents begin in the classical era with the justifications for tyrannicide and then move into the Enlightenment and era of the early political revolutions with writings from France and then 19th century radical tracts from Russia, there is then a section on 20th century terror with manifestoes from the Irish Republican movement, the Palestinian terrorists, our home grown Weather Underground and Europe's Red Army Faction, both of whom resorted to terror. Laquer includes interpretations of terrorism from Goldman, Marx, Lenin and Trotsky. Part Two is a series of four sections devoted to guerrilla war from the 19th century to the present day. The final component of the book, Part Three, is devoted to the "Origins of 21st Century Terrorism" and it includes the religious justifications from many of the major Islamic intellectuals who have written in an effort to normalize the use of terrorism. Unfortunately, they have succeeded all too well. The final section of Part Three is another series of manifestoes from groups as disparate as the Tamil Tigers, The Red Brigade and Jemaah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia. This book is truly vital reading as it is important to realize that there is an ideology behind those who stalk innocent men, women and children in New York, in Spain or Iraq. There has to be elaborate justifications to convince so many to commit he most heinous murders - and there are. To know what type of threat we face, we must understand what motivates those who threaten us and "Voices of Terror" is a stark look into the heart of the terrorist movements.
Jeffrey Morseburg

4.0 out of 5 stars Just what you need . . ., November 20, 2009

By 

Someone's Mom (Chesapeake, VA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Voices of Terror: Manifestos, Writings and Manuals of Al Qaeda, Hamas, and other Terrorists from around the World and Throughout the Ages (Paperback)

This is a wonderful compendium of original sources which I'm using in a graduate level social science course on terrorism. Readings run the gamut, from Lenin and Bakunin, to Marighella and Che Guevera, to today's modern terrorists. There's a little introductory essay at the beginning of each section and the readings are short enough that you can assign several during each week, and pick and choose snippets to augment your regular textbook. I was pleased to find this resource since I had been hunting for something similar for awhile.

4.0 out of 5 stars Voices of Terror reveals "their" words, July 19, 2009

By 

history rebel "bsomebody" (NC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Voices of Terror: Manifestos, Writings and Manuals of Al Qaeda, Hamas, and other Terrorists from around the World and Throughout the Ages (Paperback)

Anyone who studies history is familiar with the all-too-often single-mindedness of many historical accounts. Terrorists have motivation for their acts, and we have an opportunity to see the motivation in the historical figures' own words. Manifestos, procedures, doctrines,... some insight into the minds of the "other side." Reading these excerpts, one can begin to gain a handle on understanding the minds of some of history's least understood characters.