Drawing on a wide range of case studies, Richard English argues that we have as yet failed to understand terrorism properly, and that this is at the root of our disastrous failure to respond effectively to terrorism in the post-9/11 crisis.

If you want to read one book which explains the phenomenon of terrorism, gives you a good historical grasp of the subject while also providing a dispassionate roadmap to guide you through the term's complex meanderings and its many intellectual cul-de-sacs, then this is the book for you. It is outstanding: short and beautifully written, it manages also to be thoroughly on top of its subject.

`Review from previous edition If you want to read one book which explains the phenomenon of terrorism, gives you a good historical grasp of the subject whilst also providing a dispassionate roadmap to guide you through the term's complex meanderings and many intellectual cul-de-sacs, then this is the book for you. It is outstanding: short and beautifully written, it also manages to be thoroughly on top of its subject..'' Conor Gearty, Irish Times `Thoughtful scholarship lies at the heart of this fine analysis of terrorism as both a military and a political problem.' Michael Burleigh, Literary Review `If you want to read one book which explains the phenomenon of terrorism...then this is the book for you.' Conor Gearty, Irish Times `It is outstanding: short and beautifully written, it manages also to be thoroughly on top of its subject.' Conor Gearty, Irish Times `A short, common-sense primer to understanding terrorists and their limitations.' Max Hastings, Sunday Times `Recommended.' Choice

Reveals the long view of terrorism: how it emerges, how it is sustained, and - most crucially - how and why it ends Argues that we need a radically new approach to dealing with international terrorism Deals with the whole spectrum of terrorist organizations, both secular and religious, from the IRA, ETA, and the German Red Army Faction to Islamist terrorist groups in the 21st century such as Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah Draws on first-hand research into terrorist organizations to offer an accessible overview of one of the most important political problems of the 21st century - and how we can effectively respond to it

Richard English is Professor of Politics at Queen's University, Belfast, and author of the award-winning books Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA (2003) and Irish Freedom: The History of Nationalism in Ireland (2006). He is a frequent media commentator on terrorism and political violence - including work for the BBC, the Times Literary Supplement, the Irish Times, Newsweek, the Independent on Sunday, and the Financial Times - and he has lectured widely in Europe and America on the subject of terrorism.

Reveals the long view of terrorism: how it emerges, how it is sustained, and - most crucially - how and why it ends Argues that we need a radically new approach to dealing with international terrorism Deals with the whole spectrum of terrorist organizations, both secular and religious, from the IRA, ETA, and the German Red Army Faction to Islamist terrorist groups in the 21st century such as Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah Draws on first-hand research into terrorist organizations to offer an accessible overview of one of the most important political problems of the 21st century - and how we can effectively respond to it