Details

Subject(s)

• Terrorism—Religious aspects [Browse]
• Violence—Religious aspects [Browse]

Summary note

For four years, the author interviewed extremist members of three religions around the world: Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Traveling extensively to refugee camps in Lebanon, to religious schools in Pakistan, to prisons in Amman, Asqelon, and Pensacola, she discovered that the Islamic jihadi in the mountains of Pakistan and the Christian fundamentalist bomber in Oklahoma have much in common. Based on her vast research, she lucidly explains how terrorist organizations are formed by opportunistic leaders who, using religion as both motivation and justification, recruit the disenfranchised. She depicts how moral fervor is transformed into sophisticated organizations that strive for money, power, and attention. Her extensive interaction with the faces behind the terror provide unprecedented insight into acts of inexplicable horror, and enable her to suggest how terrorism can most effectively be countered.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-359) and index.

Contents

• pt. 1. Grievances that give rise to holy war. Alienation ; Humiliation ; Demographics ; History ; Territory
• pt. 2. Holy war organizations. Inspirational leaders and their followers ; Lone-wolf avengers ; Commanders and their cadres ; The ultimate organization : networks, franchises, and freelancers ; Conclusion, policy recommendations.

ISBN

• 0060505338 ((paperback))
• 9780060505332 ((paperback))

OCLC

56525789

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