Suicide terrorism is rising around the world, but there is great confusion as to why. In this paradigm-shifting analysis, University of Chicago pol...
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reviews
Feb 09, 2011
Steven
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Robert Pape's study is an important contribution to our understanding of suicide terrorism. He explores the recent evolution and deployment of suicide terrorism as a political tactic.
Some key points: Islamic terrorism is not the only exemplar of suicide terrorism; much suicide terrorism has "popular" support; suicide terrorism is often aimed at forcing occupying forces--especially democracies--to leave the territory that terrorists consider their home territory; perhaps mo More...
Some key points: Islamic terrorism is not the only exemplar of suicide terrorism; much suicide terrorism has "popular" support; suicide terrorism is often aimed at forcing occupying forces--especially democracies--to leave the territory that terrorists consider their home territory; perhaps mo More...
Jan 19, 2008
Rick
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An academic analysis of the data of post-1983 suicide terrorist attacks, Dying to Win uncovers several crucial inaccurate assumptions about the backgrounds, motives, and support for suicide terrorists, including that it is a strategy confined to Islamist fanatics. Hezbollah is the founding organization for the modern version of this tactic and its effective use of it in Lebanon in 1983, when Reagan cut and ran after announcing we wouldn’t in the wake of the Marine barracks attack and Israel with
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Aug 26, 2008
James
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This book very clearly describes the causes and nature of suicide terrorism: namely, that it is mainly a response to foreign occupation. Specifically, "nationalist rebellion and religious difference between rebels and a dominant democratic state are the main conditions under which the foreign occupation of a community's homeland is likely to lead to a campaign of suicide terrorism as part of a national liberation strategy." Moreover, the majority of suicide terrorists are typically old
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Dec 16, 2009
So far its slow because the begining chapters just keep repeating this thing over and over again.
However, I am astonished. For some reason, I thought i had spent my entire childhood with this "suicide bombing" in exisistence, however, this book points out that the first such bombing to happen by Hamas was in 1994 which is crazy!
I thought they had been doing it since forever, I am understanding that something strategically changed on the ground for these peopl More...
However, I am astonished. For some reason, I thought i had spent my entire childhood with this "suicide bombing" in exisistence, however, this book points out that the first such bombing to happen by Hamas was in 1994 which is crazy!
I thought they had been doing it since forever, I am understanding that something strategically changed on the ground for these peopl More...
Nov 12, 2009
Dave
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I first of heard of this book by way of the immutable Scott Horton at antiwar.com/radio / http://www.kaosradioaustin.org/station/a...
When I realized that Ron Paul used it as a primary source when he countered the ridiculous claims by Rudy Guiliani that "they hate us for our freedoms" and over-used anti-logic about Islamic fundamentalism.
Well researched and well presented prose details a picture that many of glaze over in the haze of media propaganda. I had so More...
When I realized that Ron Paul used it as a primary source when he countered the ridiculous claims by Rudy Guiliani that "they hate us for our freedoms" and over-used anti-logic about Islamic fundamentalism.
Well researched and well presented prose details a picture that many of glaze over in the haze of media propaganda. I had so More...
Dec 11, 2010
Good insight into the evolving tactic of suicide bombers. Started with Tamil Tigers not in the Middle East, which shows terror groups learn and evolve.
Jun 14, 2009
Ashley
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I've read about half of this text book as well, and it really makes you think. There is some great information in here, and some good ideas.
Jan 08, 2009
John
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A must read for anyone concerned about or interested in the War on Terror
May 21, 2009
Rtwriter
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enlightening read, particularly for those with a lean historical knowledge of world politics. occasionally redundant, but backed by solid research and facts.
Jun 30, 2008
John
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Great work and a good overall study of the topic which I was happy to see covered more than simply the provincial view who terrorists are. This work provides a history of suicide terrorism and a detailed study of all groups presently doing so. I think the work could have used some stronger arguments, but if one is reading this work along with other works, the information found in here is extremely useful.
Aug 05, 2010
Nick
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This book examines the known facts about suicide terrorism, using data about suicide bombers ages, social class, education and motivation. Pape offers convincing evidence that suicide bombers are not, as a rule, motivated by desperate personal circumstances but by military or economic occupation or domination of their territory. An excellent read, and a must-read book if we want to truly deal with terrorism.
Apr 04, 2007
Jason
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Suicide terrorists are not mostly Muslim, and they don't all do it because of religious reasons. Rather, the motives are more nationalistic and sophisticated than we think, and are often part of a larger campaign. Fascinating and accurate account of every single known suicide bombing attack in recent history and their effect on society. It's hard being the only one to have read this book.
Jun 21, 2007
Cate
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A look at suicide terrorism around the world. Pape attempts a very scientific, unemotional approach to suicide terrorism based on suicide bombing statistics that he has compiled. The information presented is interesting and can be surprising, but the book gets repetitive at times. Some might not like his emotional detachment from suicide terrorists and their victims.
Jan 08, 2008
So far, more evidence that we don't get attacked because they hate our freedom, but because we occupy their territories. Other suicide campaigns around the world do the same to their occupiers. As of 2003, the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka carry out the most suicide bombings. Interesting question, "Were the Kamikazi's of Japan terrorists?"
Dec 17, 2009
Jared
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A significant econometric analysis of suicide terrorism. Comes to some very interesting conclusions. I dont agree with Pape's conceptual argument surrounding the quantitative research, I feel that it can be supplemented and explained in a better way, it is still a very good read and has a lot of explanatory powers.
Mar 10, 2008
a view into suicide terrorism, its hisory, and the groups and motivations into those who use it as a weapon. surprisingly, it seems that nationalism, not religion, plays the biggest part in motivation. religion is used as and indoctrinating force, but is not the underlying reasoning for it.
May 28, 2007
Sarah
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A groundbreaking demographic profile of modern suicide terrorist attackers that serves as a needed counterpoint to the conventional identification process. Fact-based, not at all politically motivated.
Dec 16, 2009
Wes
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Fascinating statistical analysis of suicide bombers. Pape concludes that suicide bombers are not irrational zealots, but strategic thinkers for a cause...and that their strategy has in fact been successful.
Feb 11, 2012
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