Inside Terrorism

De: Bruce Hoffman

Narrado por: Robertson Dean

Bruce Hoffman's Inside Terrorism has remained a seminal work for understanding the historical evolution of terrorism and the terrorist mindset. In this revised edition of the classic text, Hoffman analyzes the new adversaries, motivations, and tactics of global terrorism that have emerged in recent years, focusing specifically on how al Qaeda has changed since 9/11; the reasons behind its resiliency, resonance, and longevity; and its successful use of the internet and videotapes to build public support and gain new recruits. Hoffman broadens the discussion by evaluating the potential repercussions of the Iraqi insurgency, the use of suicide bombers, terrorist exploitation of new communications media, and the likelihood of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear terrorist strike.

Closer to home, Hoffman reconsiders the Timothy McVeigh case and the threats posed by American Christian white supremacists and abortion opponents, as well as those posed by militant environmentalists and animal rights activists. He argues that the attacks on the World Trade Center fundamentally transformed the West's view of the terrorist threat. More relevant and necessary than ever, Inside Terrorism continues to be the definitive work on the history and future of global terrorism.

©2017 Bruce Hoffman (P)2019 Tantor

Excellent Book. Hypnotically boring narrator.

BLUF: Outstanding collection of terrorism information, includes origins, the different types (religious, domestic, racist...), poor choice in narrator.

The book is a collection of terrorist attacks, including domestic incidents. Wish I would have found this book earlier in my study on the subject. I have been able to independently verify the majority of facts and assertions presented by the author. The only drawback to the book is that the narrator has an annoying droning, hypnotic tone that sounds like the curator at Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride. I feel as though I should have a glass of scotch, while wearing an ascot, in an old mansion next to a fireplace while listening to this creepy narration that doesn’t really fit with information being conveyed.

Superb Narrator --- Informative Topic

The narrator (Robertson Dean) is as good as I can imagine for this type of work. The overall content (a deep dive into terrorism) is fascinating to me, although at times even for me it was a bit tedious. The author has an interesting viewpoint which is very objective at times, but then other times he interjects with comments that seem to seem to support terrorist killings, while at other times (almost like a pendulum) he swings towards support for bringing the evil actions of terrorists to an end. At first it comes across as contradictory, but as he continues this pendulum swing it becomes like riding on a teeter totter---rather enjoyable. Overall it's a good discourse on the topic by a great narrator.

Comprehensive, not overwhelming

Amazing listen. Recommend it to anyone who (like myself) lacks general knowledge about the topic of the book

Indispensable for understanding terrorism

Excellent book that lays out the full scope of what the term and activity of terrorism entails, the groups that conduct it, goals of the organizations and motivations of the individual members, methods, relevant political theory, and contrast between the groups and their geographical and societal context. The whole book is extremely informative, and dispels a great many misunderstandings of the topic in the public sphere, but to me, two elements of the book are particularly useful. First, the emphasis that while certain individuals and groups are simply brutal and bloodthirsty, terrorism is a political tool utilized by non-state actors (state sponsors such as Iran and others nonwithstanding) to achieve a given social or political end. These ends may be gruesome and absolutely reprehensible, but to understand terror groups, one must look through their perspective (however unpleasant,) and Hoffman makes it clear that terrorism is primarily a political tool. Secondly, Hoffman's inclusion of a broad swathe of terrorist/nonstate groups beyond the ubiquitous Al Qaeda is very informative, to include Abu Sayyaf, The IRA, the Tamil Tigers, and others. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get beyond the stereotypes and actually understand the subject.

Well-researched

This book explores the history of terrorism since the Victorian age, with a particular emphasis on Islamic terrorism in the late 20th and 21st centuries. While the exploration of Islamic terrorism was thorough, I feel there is more to be said about domestic terrorism in the West.

Good historical information but has issues

some very good historical information but it falters once it starts trying to categorize different groups into neat boxes because it has to get loose with it's definition of what constitutes a terrorist group (One example was one person) and, frankly, the apologetic nature of the authors's descriptions of some groups was insulting ("This group didn't mean to hurt these specific people, they were aiming to kill these other people, and the terrorists were very sorry so we can't look down on them too much, right?"). Seemed like the author got a little TOO empathetic to certain groups and forgot that they still killed people.