This is a briefer version of Martin's popular "Understanding Terrorism 3rd Edition", "Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies, 2nd Edition" is a concise resource for understanding the multifaceted subject of modern terrorism. The book is a foundational text that can be readily used in conjunction with other resources such as topical texts, specialized publications, journal articles, and readers.

Table of Contents

PART I. UNDERSTANDING TERRORISM: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW 1. Defining Terrorism 2. Historical Perspectives and Ideological Origins 3. Causes of Terrorist Violence PART II. TERRORIST ENVIRONMENTS 4. Terrorism by the State 5. Terrorism by Dissidents 6. Religious Terrorism 7. International Terrorism 8. Domestic Terrorism in the United States III. THE TERRORIST BATTLEGROUND 9. Terrorist Violence and the Role of the Media 10. Tactics and Targets of Terrorists 11. Counterterrorism and the War on Terrorism 12. Future Trends and Projections Appendix A: Map References Appendix B: National Intelligence Estimate: The Terrorist Threat to the US Homeland Appendix C: Historical Examples

Author Biography

C. Augustus (Gus) Martin is Professor of Criminal Justice Administration at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he and has also served as Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and as chair of the Department of Public Administration & Public Policy. He began his academic career as a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Administration of Justice professor. His current research and professional interests are terrorism and extremism, administration of justice, juvenile justice, and fair housing. He is author and editor of several books on the subject of terrorism, including The SAGE Encyclopedia of Terrorism (SAGE, 2012), Terrorism and Homeland Security (SAGE, 2011), Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (SAGE, 2013), Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues (SAGE, 2013), and The New Era of Terrorism: Selected Readings (SAGE, 2004). He has served as a panelist for university and community symposia and interviews on the subjects of administration of justice, terrorism, and fair housing. He has also been a consultant to government and private agencies. Prior to joining academia, he served as managing attorney for the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, where he was also director of a program created under a federal consent decree to desegregate public and assisted housing. He was also Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands on the island of St. Thomas. As Special Counsel he provided personal and confidential position in central office of Department of Justice; sat as hearing officer for disciplinary hearings and departmental grievances; served as chair of drug policy committee; was liaison to intergovernmental Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee; acted as liaison to Narcotics Strike Force; and provided daily legal and policy advice to Attorney General. Prior to serving as Special Counsel, he was a "floor" Legislative Assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York. As Legislative Assistant, he researched, evaluated and drafted legislation in areas of foreign policy, foreign aid, human rights, housing, education, social services and poverty; he also drafted House floor statements, Congressional Record inserts, press releases, and news articles; and he composed speeches, briefing materials and legislative correspondence.