Terrorism

Terrorism can be most simply defined as the use or threat of violence by a non-governmental group to achieve political or social goals. Although the odds of an individual becoming victim of a terrorist attack in a democracy like the United States are miniscule, the ability of a small number of terrorists - like the Oklahoma City bombers - to strike a sudden devastating blow highlights the how increasingly vulnerable we are becoming in this complex industrial and information age. The increasing proliferation and availability of sophisticated weapons has made the issue of terrorism more urgent than ever. Danger not only comes from what a terrorist could do to us, but what it can lead us to do to ourselves as a result. A timely addition to the Library in a Book series, Terrorism is a balanced examination of the complex political and social issues surrounding this global phenomenon.