This textbook is a comprehensive introduction to global terrorism helping students to understand the history, politics, ideologies and strategies of both contemporary and older terrorist groups. Written in a clear and accessible style, each chapter explains a different aspect of terrorism and illustrates this with a wide variety of case-studies from across the world. Topics covered include: definitions and typology of terrorism classifications of groups, weapons and techniques religious terrorism ethnic disputes left wing and right wing extremism state-sponsored terrorism techniques for countering terrorism future development of terrorist activity. Case studies include: terror in the French Revolution; the Zealots; Irish Republicanism; the Italian Red Brigades; American militias; Columbia; ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Sri Lanka; Al-Qaeda and the PLO The unique combination of a genuinely historical focus and truly global coverage make this the ideal introductory textbook for anyone studying terrorism, or for the general reader with an interest in the key issue facing twenty-first century society.

Author Biography

James M. Lutz is Professor of Political Science at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. He has long been interested in various types of political violence. Brenda J. Lutz is a PhD candidate at the Department of Politics, University of Dundee, Scotland, focusing on violence in the animal rights movement