Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations (Paperback)

by Russell D. Howard (Author), Reid L. Sawyer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This book presents the best, most current thinking in the field." -- General Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.), former member of the National Security Council and director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

Product Description
Colonel Russell Howard and Captain Reid Sawyer have collected and organized new and reprinted articles and essays by political scientists, government officials, and members of the nation's armed forces. The editors and several of the authors write from practical field experience in the nation's war on terrorism. Others have had significant responsibility for planning government policy and responses. The contributors include a majority of the significant names in the field including General Barry McCaffrey, Martha Crenshaw, Bruce Hoffman, Barry Posen, Jessica Stern, Ashton Carter.

Part One of the book analyzes the philosophical, political, and religious roots of terrorist activities around the world and discusses the national, regional, and global effects of historical and recent acts of terrorism. In addition to material on the threats from suicide bombers, as well as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons, there are also important contributions analyzing new and growing threats: narco-terrorism, cyber-terrorism, genomic terrorism, and agro-terrorism. Part Two deals with past, present, and future national and international responses to--and defenses against--terrorism. Essays and articles in this section analyze and debate the practical, political, ethical, and moral questions raised by military and non-military responses (and pre-emptive actions) outside of the context of declared war.

Five detailed Appendices: Chronology of Terrorism Incidents, Groups Designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Terrorist Group Profiles, and Weapons of Mass Destruction Definitions.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill (September 4, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072837780
• ISBN-13: 978-0072837780
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,269,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take It From A Polisci Major, February 24, 2004

By	The Jigga Man - See all my reviews

This book is most certainly an excellent guide to anyone who has the slightest interest in Militant groups. Terrorism may be a pejorative term, and this text attempts to take the reader beyond that and into an in depth analysis of trends, tactics and much more. Though I may be biased since it is required reading for my POLS376 class (Political Violence), it is most definitely not for everyone as it is not an easy read. Though the Cindy Combs book "Terrorism in the 21st century" may be the most definitive source on this subject next to Hoffman, I still must give credit where it is due. However, I did have one major gripe with this text. The coverage of terrorist tactics and training was lacking to say the least, so I recommend that you buy pick up the Combs book to complement this one. Wish me luck on my midterm! lol

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pols Major, May 8, 2006

By	Brent Foster - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations (Textbook) (Paperback)

Brings up good points about various weaknesses and problems in preventing future attacks. Many of the included essays are redundant because the authors bring up parallel points making the book dry, especially after the first two or three chapters.

4.0 out of 5 stars Jumbled together, June 28, 2009

By	Adam J. Russo "Adam Russo" (Haddam, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Understanding the New Security Environment, Readings and Interpretations (Textbook) (Paperback)

I'm not saying it's a bad resource. It has a tons of information. However, the manner in which these facts are presented seems like a cluster of different ideas, making it the hardest terrorism book I have ever read.