Overall this book is an excellent introduction for any terrorism studies student. However, there are a few statements made in the book that I not only found disagreeable but bluntly wrong (especially in relation to Al-Qaeda and Bin Laden - his demands, statements i.e. his stance on democracy and the Western system). Getting over these minor hurdles is no problem to new readers. The book is a fantastic resource.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer—no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
OK
Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction Paperback – 7 June 2018
by
Townshend
(Author)
Sorry, there was a problem loading this page.Try again.
Or Pay with Zip. View 1 plan
The payment amount shown here does not include the cost of any additional services. See total payment amount (including shipping cost) at the checkout.
^Zip Pay: This is a credit product and is interest free. Minimum monthly repayments are required. A monthly account fee of $9.95 is charged by Zip and is subject to change. Pay your closing balance in full by the due date each month and Zip will waive the fee. Available to approved applicants only and subject to completion of satisfactory credit assessment by Zip. Other charges may be payable. Fees and charges subject to change. Zip T&Cs apply. T&Cs available on application. See your Zip contract for further details. Credit provided by Zip Money Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number 441878.
*Zip Money: Interest free term subject to minimum spend and promotional partner offer. Available to approved applicants only and subject to completion of satisfactory credit check. The repayment advertised will repay the transaction balance within the advertised interest free period. A monthly account fee of $9.95 applies and a one off establishment fee may apply for new customers. Under the contract, minimum monthly repayments are required and will vary depending on your credit limit. Instalment plans split eligible purchases of $300 and above into equal repayments within the interest free period. If you turn off instalments, transactions will be reverted to the minimum monthly repayment. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment may not necessarily repay a purchase within the interest free period. Any balance outstanding at the expiry of the interest free period will be charged at the standard variable interest rate, 25.9% per annum, as at 1 June 2023. Other charges may be payable, see T&Cs. Interest, fees and charges are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply and are available on application. See your contract for further details. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number (441878).
You can select and apply an appropriate plan based on your cart value at checkout.
-
Pay at Your PaceZip
Account type | Interest |
---|---|
Zip Pay | Always interest free^ |
Zip Money | 12 mo interest free,
25.9% p.a. thereafter* |
^Zip Pay: This is a credit product and is interest free. Minimum monthly repayments are required. A monthly account fee of $9.95 is charged by Zip and is subject to change. Pay your closing balance in full by the due date each month and Zip will waive the fee. Available to approved applicants only and subject to completion of satisfactory credit assessment by Zip. Other charges may be payable. Fees and charges subject to change. Zip T&Cs apply. T&Cs available on application. See your Zip contract for further details. Credit provided by Zip Money Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number 441878.
*Zip Money: Interest free term subject to minimum spend and promotional partner offer. Available to approved applicants only and subject to completion of satisfactory credit check. The repayment advertised will repay the transaction balance within the advertised interest free period. A monthly account fee of $9.95 applies and a one off establishment fee may apply for new customers. Under the contract, minimum monthly repayments are required and will vary depending on your credit limit. Instalment plans split eligible purchases of $300 and above into equal repayments within the interest free period. If you turn off instalments, transactions will be reverted to the minimum monthly repayment. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment may not necessarily repay a purchase within the interest free period. Any balance outstanding at the expiry of the interest free period will be charged at the standard variable interest rate, 25.9% per annum, as at 1 June 2023. Other charges may be payable, see T&Cs. Interest, fees and charges are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply and are available on application. See your contract for further details. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number (441878).
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$25.02","priceAmount":25.02,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"25","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"02","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"skaXbEdqw4vQGw0B9TO%2Fw0ZyRbbB%2F5EyAU%2BV86cWUwcrmYtQW8EHmpOLoJaRMoYZ4%2BZU9XGnk4mDgihFKDfizn6RSyNoxUvx9caMqF1ieNuzO%2BapQbsRv1Mkg0yesPic9EyeV7KAXN1V2r8ezc4K4vwRmoVdyuO3s1d1duzQ%2BC1ZfB%2BrG7lj2QzA2xTetZVc","locale":"en-AU","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}
Purchase options and add-ons
Is one person's terrorist another's freedom fighter? Is terrorism crime or war? Can there be a 'War on Terror'? For many, the terrorist attacks of September 2001 changed the face of the world, pushing terrorism to the top of political agendas, and leading to a series of world events including the war in Iraq and the invasion of Afghanistan. The recent terror attacks in various European cities have shown that terrorism remains a crucial issue today. Charting a clear path through the efforts to understand and explain modern terrorism, Charles Townshend examines the historical, ideological, and local roots of terrorist violence.Starting from the question of why terrorists find it so easy to seize public attention, this new edition analyses the emergence of terrorism as a political strategy, and discusses the objectives which have been pursued by users of this strategy from French revolutionaries to Islamic jihadists. Considering the kinds of groups and individuals who adopt terrorism, Townshend discusses the emergence of ISIS and the upsurge in individual suicide action, and explores the issues involved in finding a proportionate response to the threat they present, particularly by liberal democratic societies. Analysing the growing use of knives and other edged weapons in attacks, and the issue of 'cyberterror', Townshend details the use of counterterrorist measures, from control orders to drone strikes, including the Belgian and French responses to the Brussels, Paris, Nice, and Rouen attacks.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
- ISBN-109780198809098
- ISBN-13978-0198809098
- Edition3rd
- PublisherOxford University Press UK
- Publication date7 June 2018
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions17.27 x 1.52 x 10.92 cm
- Print length192 pages
Frequently bought together

This item: Terrorism: A Very Short Introduction
$25.02$25.02
Get it 18 - 24 Jun
Only 1 left in stock.
$21.40$21.40
Only 5 left in stock.
$74.95$74.95
Get it as soon as Wednesday, June 4
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
Total Price: $00$00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Try again!
Added to Cart
Add all 3 to Cart
Some of these items dispatch sooner than the others.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start againPage 1 of 1
Product description
Review
A brilliant and incisive analysis of a major subject. ― Richard English, Author of Does Terrorism Work? A History
Book Description
In this fully updated edition, Charles Townshend unravels the questions at the heart of the problem of terrorism - its causes, methods, effects, and limitations.
From the Publisher
Charles Townshend is Emeritus Professor of International History at Keele University. He has held fellowships at the National Humanities Center in North Carolina and the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, DC. His most recent books are Easter 1916: the Irish rebellion (2005), When God Made Hell: the British Invasion of Mesopotamia and the Creation of Iraq, 1914-1921 (2010), Desert hell: the British invasion of Mesopotamia (2011), and The Republic: the fight for Irish independence, 1918-1923 (2013).
About the Author
Charles Townshend is Emeritus Professor of International History at Keele University. He has held fellowships at the National Humanities Center in North Carolina and the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, DC. His most recent books are Easter 1916: the Irish rebellion (2005), When God Made Hell: the British Invasion of Mesopotamia and the Creation of Iraq, 1914-1921 (2010), Desert hell: the British invasion of Mesopotamia (2011), and The Republic: the fight for Irish independence, 1918-1923 (2013).
Product details
- ASIN : 0198809093
- Publisher : Oxford University Press UK
- Publication date : 7 June 2018
- Edition : 3rd
- Language : English
- Print length : 192 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9780198809098
- ISBN-13 : 978-0198809098
- Item weight : 1.05 kg
- Dimensions : 17.27 x 1.52 x 10.92 cm
- Lexile measure : 1440L
- Best Sellers Rank: 362,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 283 in International Relations Textbooks
- 361 in International Diplomacy (Books)
- 376 in Terrorism (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
92 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews from Australia
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in Australia on 2 August 2017Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
- Ieva DanielaReviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars A great start
Verified PurchaseI like this very much because it is a great help for someone who needs to acquire some basic facts and concepts fast. The fact, that the text isn't "justified" is a bit annoying, but it does not take away anything from the quality of information.