
Terrorism: All That Matters
Book
Andrew Silke(Author)
John Murray Learning (Publisher)
Published on 27. June 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-4441-6331-5 (ISBN)
Description
DOES TERRORISM WORK?
Terrorism is surrounded by myths. One of the most enduring of these myths and half-truths is that terrorism never works; that in the end, the state will prevail and the terrorists will either be dead or imprisoned or otherwise forced to end their campaign of violence. It is true that most terrorist groups are beaten. Within twelve months of their first attack most terrorist groups have been crushed. Within ten years half of the rest have been beaten. However, a small proportion - roughly one group in twenty - endures and incredibly goes on to win the conflict and beat the governments opposing them.
This book is about these triumphs of terror, how and why they happen and what the beaten governments could and should have done differently. It is a book about blunders and miscalculations, of the danger of underestimating a weak enemy and the hubris of empire. It encompasses tales of courage and despair, ruthlessness and tragedy, brutality and hope. In the end, it represents not just one but many warnings from history. About the care that is needed when confronted with terrorism and about just how badly events can go for even the most powerful state if they get it wrong.
Terrorism is surrounded by myths. One of the most enduring of these myths and half-truths is that terrorism never works; that in the end, the state will prevail and the terrorists will either be dead or imprisoned or otherwise forced to end their campaign of violence. It is true that most terrorist groups are beaten. Within twelve months of their first attack most terrorist groups have been crushed. Within ten years half of the rest have been beaten. However, a small proportion - roughly one group in twenty - endures and incredibly goes on to win the conflict and beat the governments opposing them.
This book is about these triumphs of terror, how and why they happen and what the beaten governments could and should have done differently. It is a book about blunders and miscalculations, of the danger of underestimating a weak enemy and the hubris of empire. It encompasses tales of courage and despair, ruthlessness and tragedy, brutality and hope. In the end, it represents not just one but many warnings from history. About the care that is needed when confronted with terrorism and about just how badly events can go for even the most powerful state if they get it wrong.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Murray Press
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 177 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
228 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4441-6331-5 (9781444163315)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Andrew Silke
Terrorism: All That Matters
E-Book
06/2014
John Murray Learning
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Andrew Silke (London, England) is the UK's leading expert on Terrorism. He is a Professor at the University of East London, where he is programme director for Terrorism Studies. He advises leading bodies in the UK and Europe, including the Select Committee of the House of Commons and the Metropolitan Police. He is a frequent talking head on TV and radio.