Old and New Terrorism - (Understanding Terrorism) by Peter Neumann (Paperback)

About the Book

Offers a picture of the shifts in the practice and reception of terrorism and analyzes how globalization has facilitated many of the changes.

Book Synopsis

Old and New Terrorism provides the most comprehensive account of the evolution of terrorism in the modern world, and a concise and careful analysis of the forces that have driven its transformation.

The book:

• charts the development of terrorist network structures
• assesses the impact of modern communication systems on the spread of terrorism
• explains the rise of religiously inspired terrorism
• and, shows what lies behind mass-casualty terrorism and the targeting of civilians.

Peter Neumann offers a subtle and sophisticated picture of the shifts in the practice and reception of terrorism, drawing on case studies ranging from the IRA to Al Qaeda. It makes sense of much of the literature that has been published over the past decade. Yet it also provides a highly original analysis of how globalization has facilitated many of the changes that have materialised in recent years.

This book will be essential reading both for students and experts keen to understand the changing nature of terrorism and how it can best be fought.

From the Back Cover

Old and New Terrorism provides the most comprehensive account of the evolution of terrorism in the modern world, and a concise and careful analysis of the forces that have driven its transformation. The book:

charts the development of terrorist network structures;

assesses the impact of modern communication systems on the spread of terrorism;

explains the rise of religiously inspired terrorism; and,

shows what lies behind mass-casualty terrorism and the targeting of civilians.

Peter Neumann offers a subtle and sophisticated picture of the shifts in the practice and reception of terrorism, drawing on case studies ranging from the IRA to Al Qaeda. It makes sense of much of the literature that has been published over the past decade. Yet it also provides a highly original analysis of how globalization has facilitated many of the changes that have materialised in recent years.

This book will be essential reading both for students and experts keen to understand the changing nature of terrorism and how it can best be fought.

Review Quotes

"Advances our understanding of terrorism, its costs and its consequences considerably."
International Affairs

"It is to be recommended for its careful modesty of approach (and its brevity)."
John Lloyd, Financial Times

"A timely book that helps the reader and scholars of terrorism define and differentiate what was and is the threat of terrorism. The book is recommended for all who want a clearer understanding of the nature of terrorism."
Choice

"This book is suitable for everybody who wants to understand the basic principles and driving forces behind current terrorist groups as well as those wishing to in-depth knowledge of the history of terrorism. Despite the complexity of the evidence about the gradual changes that have led to a transformation in the phenomenon of terrorism, the overall thesis of the book is easy to comprehend, and all arguments are easy to follow. "
Central European Journal of International and Security Studies

"Peter Neumann has synthesized an enormous amount of literature on terrorism to arrive at a concise, clear and stimulating account of the evolving nature of terrorist groups from the IRA to Al Qaeda. Really excellent."
Peter Bergen, CNN terrorism analyst and author of Holy War, Inc., and The Osama bin Laden I Know

"Peter Neumann's explanation of religiously inspired terrorism in terms of the dynamics caused by late modernity and globalization is well-substantiated and compelling. His analysis is essential reading for all those concerned to understand the terrifying prospect of further terrorist attacks of extreme brutality against civilian targets and how that risk might be reduced."
Sir David Omand, Tony Blair's Security Intelligence Coordinator

"[T]his is a useful and concise volume which summarizes some of the recent debates in the terrorism research in a clear and concise way."
Perspectives on Terrorism

"This valuable book supports the fundamental conclusion that the most threatening terrorism the West will face in the twenty-first century is global and truly novel - the results of the latest wave of globalization, its discontents, and its empowering technologies. I strongly endorse these important conclusions and Peter Neumann's persuasive and eloquent arguments for them."
Philip Bobbitt, Columbia University, and author of Terror and Consent

About the Author

Peter Neumann is Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence (ICSR) at King's College London.