Terrorismens historie: attentat og terrorbekjempelse fra Bakunin til IS

Modern terrorism began in earnest after Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1862. This new technology made it possible to kill or injure on a much larger scale than attacks with firearms. When this was combined with new radical ideologies and a communications revolution in the form of mass-produced newspapers, it became possible for small groups to reach large audiences. The main themes of the book are what motivates terrorists, what terrorist groups are trying to achieve, and, not least, how terrorism can best be combated. The book looks at a number of examples from Europe, the United States, South Africa and the Middle East to illustrate the diversity of terrorism as a strategy, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of different ways of combating terrorism. Almost all terrorists try to provoke states into overreacting – but history shows that there are smarter alternatives.