In the aftermath of September 11 2001 the idea and the reality of terrorism remain all too close at hand. Writing this in an office a short walk from where two bombs exploded in London in July 2005, I share with many others a desire to know more about and to attempt to understand the nature of terrorism and its history. This work is obviously built on and written with the aim of meeting such desires. And in presenting a selection of documents and placing these in context with guides for further reading this work succeeds, with one important limitation.
One expected from its title a more comprehensive work that looked at terrorism in a broad historical and international context. This Guide, however, remains firmly focused on the events of September 11 2001, the origins of Al Qaeda and the ongoing effects of the events of that date (excluding the war on Iraq). While this is no bad thing in itself, a more accurate title would, I think, be fairer to potential purchasers.
The editors have selected 70 documents (not always complete), some for the first time in print, as primary sources that illustrate the history and nature of terrorism and the debates about terrorism and the American response to it. Each document is introduced, contextualised and analysed and followed with a list of suggested further reading (using both print and online sources).
As a sample, Chapter 8 looks at the social impact of the events of September 11. It includes the table of contents and list of sections of the US Patriot Act, reproduces Section 215 of the Act (allowing federal agents to ask businesses and other entities for access to virtually any type of records and) as well as the American Library Association resolution denouncing the Act; includes images from government flyers warning of the risk of biological threat and urging citizens to be prepared for further attacks; reproduces excerpts from President Bush's 2003 budget document setting priorities for homeland security; and prints the Department of Homeland Security's US‐VISIT brochure and a selection of Rewards for Justice facts sheets and flyers. A number of these are shown in facsimile form, which certainly helps the reader to understand context further. Each document is accompanied by a short but detailed analysis and further readings. Overall, the guide, within the limitations noted above, produce a well thought out and considered overview of the background to and repercussions of the terrorist attacks of September 11.
The book is clearly laid out, and illustrated with both interesting and relevant photographs and illustrations. Within the text are boxes entitled In History, Did You Know? and Controversial … which present additional information in a clear and interesting way. Overall, the guide is easy to use and well indexed and signposted. It contains a useful bibliography of electronic, print and video resources for further reading. This bibliography covers a number of areas and works but is not comprehensive omitting, for example, the insightful, well written and researched Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam by British journalist Jason Burke (Burke, 2004). Recommended for undergraduate and general readers.
