Encyclopedia of Terrorism

From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-According to the preface, work on this exhaustive reference was begun a year before the September 11th attacks. The broad focus is on terror incidents both past and present, which are defined by three factors: "method- target- and the purpose." Kushner has gathered the type of information for which teen researchers are clamoring: biographies of key individuals, the histories of various terrorist groups both foreign and domestic, and a full discussion of specific incidents. Some of the latter may be difficult to find; for example, the siege at the Branch Davidian complex is found under "Waco"; there is a see reference from "David Koresh," but not from "Branch Davidian." The search for information, however, is aided by a comprehensive index. There are few illustrations, all of them in black and white. A "Reader's Guide" at the front of the volume gives broad subject headings to follow. Appendixes include maps that pinpoint terrorist incidents, a good list of Web sites, a valuable chronology of attacks in the U.S. and on U.S. interests abroad, and a lengthy bibliography. This work is ideal for libraries looking for a one-volume reference on this timely topic.Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TNCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Although there is coverage of groups such as the Irish Republican Army and events such as the Munich Olympics massacre, the emphasis of this book is on terrorism in, or against, the U.S. In 300 A-Z entries Kushner, a well-respected researcher in this area, covers terrorist-related events, groups, individuals, methods, activities, and responses. Although he began work on the book a year prior to the events of September 11, 2001, he writes in his introduction that those events made the need for an authoritative reference source on terrorism more urgent, and many of the entries are connected to 9/11.Entries generally range in length from half a page to three pages and include further readings. There is good basic coverage of internal American terror activities, including those by ecoterrorists, anticommunist Cubans, antiabortionists, and white supremacist groups. Cross-references help to direct reading within the text. Following the encyclopedia portion of the volume are several appendixes, including maps showing the locations of various terrorist events and a chronology of attacks on U.S. interests at home and abroad. The chronology lists as terrorism the assassinations of President William McKinley, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy, but not that of President John Kennedy. An excellent bibliography lists a great deal of extended reading. A reasonable collection of Web sites gives a variety of news, research, and government sites; a nice addition to this list would be Web sites that offer dissenting and terrorist group views on their actions. A "Reader's Guide" at the front of the volume sorts entry headings into 32 categories, from "Abu Nidal Organization" to "World Trade Center Bombing, February 1993." Encyclopedia of World Terrorism: 1996-2002 [RBB Ag 03] is more international in scope. Although its global coverage is not comprehensive, Encyclopedia of Terrorism is a solid piece of work with thorough coverage of U.S. terror groups of all varieties. It is worthwhile for its coverage of the topic and is recommended for academic and public libraries.RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
“It is rare to find a reference volume both as timely and as well done as this effort. Considering the importance of its subject, its global and historical coverage, and its value to researchers, students, the general reader, and law enforcement, this book is a must for every library.”

Review
Kushner (chair, criminal justice, Long Island Univ.), a noted terrorism expert and frequent guest on CNN, CNBC, and Fox News, here provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date work available on this subject. Begun a year before the 9/11 disaster, this guide presents more than 300 article-length entries, arranged alphabetically and covering such topics as terrorist groups, key terrorists, types of terrorism, and terrorist events (including 9/11). The work begins with an alphabetical list of entries, which are then categorized into 32 general topics in a handy reader’s guide. In the entries themselves, Kushner (along with a number of expert contributors) provides a solid, powerful collection of timely data on the who, what, where, when, and why of international terrorism. Each entry contains many cross references and a detailed list of suggested further readings, augmented by a large bibliography. The text is further enhanced by the addition of photographs and world maps highlighted with terror sites. Beyond its ample information on the Middle East, the book ranges worldwide to include profiles of animal rights activists, anti-abortion activists, and white supremacists. Finally, Kushner adds a useful chronological listing of key terrorist activities, beginning with the 1865 formation of the KKK and ending with the October 12, 2002 bombing in Bali. Kushner’s work easily updates Alex P. Schmid’s Political Terrorism, although Schmid’s bibliography is larger (but now dated), and greatly expands Harry Henderson’s Library in a Book: Terrorism. Essential for all academic and larger public libraries.

Book Description
"The most comprehensive and up-to-date work available on this subject...Essential for all academic and larger public libraries."--LIBRARY JOURNAL “It is rare to find a reference volume both as timely and as well done as this effort. Considering the importance of its subject, its global and historical coverage, and its value to researchers, students, the general reader, and law enforcement, this book is a must for every library.”--REFERENCE & USER SERVICES QUARTERLY, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION"This outstanding work on terrorism accomplishes something that no other book has. The Encyclopedia of Terrorism is not only comprehensive, but accessible and brilliantly organized. It is the most important reference piece available, on the most compelling topic of our times, written by the foremost no-nonsense expert in the business. A must read for citizen and practitioner alike."--Professor Brian Levin, Director, Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism California State University, San Bernardino "Kushner has gathered the type of information for which teen researchers are clamoring: biographies of key individuals, the histories of various terrorist groups both foreign and domestic, and a full discussion of specific incidents. . . . This work is ideal for libraries looking for a one-volume reference on this timely topic."--SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL The Encyclopedia of Terrorism presents authoritative coverage of what is currently one of the world’s most important topics. With more than 300 articles, the Encyclopedia provides detailed discussions of the who, what, where, when, and why of terrorism. Up-to-date and timely, the articles cover such topics as Al-Qaeda, biological terrorism, extremism, Saddam Hussein, Jihad, Zacarias Moussaoui, and suicide bombers. Its concise, readable format and detailed chronology, photographs, maps, and charts make this an essential reference. An internationally recognized expert on terrorism, Harvey Kushner has studied terrorism for more than three decades. He serves as a consultant on terrorism for an array of governmental and private agencies. In addition, his commentary appears regularly on Fox National News, CNN, the British Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio, Voice of America, and in articles in Reuters, The Associated Press, the Washington Post, and other newspapers and magazines worldwide. His expertise ensures that the entries, including contributions by other authorities in the field, are of the highest quality. Key Features More than 300 authoritative, in-depth articles Extensive, balanced coverage of terrorist groups (such as the IRA), key events (including September 11), people, terms, and statistics, as well as biographical, historical, and geographical information Cross-references to related entries at the end of each article Comprehensive, global coverage Valuable appendices include: list of government organizations, list of terrorist organizations, list of well known female terrorists, detailed list of further readings Recommended LibrariesPublic, academic, school, government, special, and private/corporate

Book Info
Presents authoritative coverage of what is currently one of the world's most important topics. Provides detailed discussions of the who, what, where, when, and why of terrorism. Internationally recognized expert on terrorism, Harvey Kushner has studied terrorism for more than three decades.

About the Author
Harvey W. Kushner is a professor and chair in the Department of Criminal Justice at Long Island University. He has studied terrorism for more than three decades. An internationally recognized expert on terrorism, Kushner is or has been a consultant on the issue for any array of governmental and private agencies. His commentary appears regularly on Fox National News, CNN, the British Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio, Voice of America, and in articles in Reuters, The Associated Press, the Washington Post, and other newspapers and magazines worldwide. International advocacy groups and governmental committees, as well as victims of terrorism, have also relied on his expertise. He most recently served as the plaintiffs’ expert witness in a successful multimillion-dollar civil litigation arising from the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York. Kushner’s latest books include The Future of Terrorism: Violence in the New Millennium (Sage, 1! 998) and Terrorism in America: A Structured Approach to Understanding Terrorist Threat (Charles C Thomas, 1998).


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Gr 9 Up-According to the preface, work on this exhaustive reference was begun a year before the September 11th attacks. The broad focus is on terror incidents both past and present, which are defined by three factors: "method- target- and the purpose." Kushner has gathered the type of information for which teen researchers are clamoring: biographies of key individuals, the histories of various terrorist groups both foreign and domestic, and a full discussion of specific incidents. Some of the latter may be difficult to find; for example, the siege at the Branch Davidian complex is found under "Waco"; there is a see reference from "David Koresh," but not from "Branch Davidian." The search for information, however, is aided by a comprehensive index. There are few illustrations, all of them in black and white. A "Reader's Guide" at the front of the volume gives broad subject headings to follow. Appendixes include maps that pinpoint terrorist incidents, a good list of Web sites, a valuable chronology of attacks in the U.S. and on U.S. interests abroad, and a lengthy bibliography. This work is ideal for libraries looking for a one-volume reference on this timely topic.-Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.


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