Offering a fresh perspective on the changing face of terror attacks, Terrorism in America focuses on domestic groups, examining the beliefs, actions, and impacts of American-based terrorists and terror organizations. Editors Robin Valeri and Kevin Borgeson and their contributors draw on theories from criminology, psychology, and sociology to explore the ideologies of right-wing, left-wing, and extremist religious groups—how and why they convert followers, recruit financially, and take extreme action against others. No competing text offers such in-depth and nuanced coverage of the radical ideologies behind these attacks, or the ensuing fear domestic terrorism creates, as well as the strategies to combat violent extremism.
A core text for domestic terrorism courses and an excellent supplement for any counterterrorism or homeland security course, Terrorism in America brings its singular focus to the growth and evolution of terrorism in the United States. Interviews, case studies from the field, and chapter themes make this a highly readable text for criminal justice, psychology, sociology, and homeland security students, professors, or practitioners.
Introduction – Robin Maria Valeri and Kevin Borgeson
Part I. Roots of Terrorism
Ch 1. The Criminology of Terrorism – Thomas R. O’Connor
Ch 2. Right-Wing Domestic Terrorism – Kevin Borgeson
Ch 3. Leftist Political Violence: From Terrorism to Social Protest – Michael Loadenthal
Part II. Terrorist Beliefs and Ideologies
Ch 4. Christian Identity – Kevin Borgeson
Ch 5. Islamist Terror in America – Christopher J. Wright
Ch 6. The Sovereign Citizens Movement – Robin Maria Valeri
Part III. Recruitment and Radicalized
Ch 7. From Declarations to Deeds: Terrorist Propaganda and the Spread of Hate and Terrorism Through Cyberspace – Robin Maria Valeri
Ch 8. Killing Alone: Can the Work Performance Literature Help Us Solve the Enigma of Lone Wolf Terrorism – Joel A. Capellan
Ch 9. Pathways to Terrorism – Mark Hamm
Part IV. Effects of Terrorism
Ch 10. Terrorism and Fear: "Terrorists Want a Lot of People Afraid—Not a Lot of People Dead" – Thomas Monahan and Robin Maria Valeri
Ch. 11. Conclusion: An End to Terrorism – Robin Maria Valeri
Biography
Robin Maria Valeri, PhD, Professor of Psychology, St. Bonaventure University and Volunteer Fire Fighter, earned her BA from Cornell University and her MA and PhD from Syracuse University.
Kevin Borgeson, PhD, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Research Fellow for the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Salem State University, earned his BA from Bridgewater State College and his PhD from Northeastern University.
Together they have co-edited Terrorism in America and Hate Crimes: Victims, Motivations and Typologies and are the co-authors of Skinhead History, Identity and Culture as well as several chapters and articles, including "Sticks and Stones: When the Words of Hatred Become Weapons" in Global Perspectives on Youth Gang Behavior, Violence, and Weapons and "Masculine Identities within the Skinhead Movement" in Advances in Sociology Research.
'Terrorism in America impressively examines the complex, vexing, and chronic problem of terrorism and addresses how to combat it. I strongly recommend it to anyone studying, researching, and/or publishing on terrorism and counterterrorism. Journalists, government intelligence agencies, and private security firms dedicated to counterterrorism will also find it indispensable.' – Mir Zohair Husain, Professor of Political Science, University of South Alabama
'A comprehensive and insightful look into the threat of domestic terrorism. The authors remind us to lead the fight rather than simply react to one of the most dangerous conflicts our nation faces. Highly recommended!' – Bob Paudert, Police Chief, Retired, for West Memphis, Arkansas
'This compendium accomplishes the vital goal of summarizing, examining, analyzing and explaining terrorism in America in a way that is as seamless and succinct as its title might suggest. As an analyst, researcher, writer and instructor on terrorism, the book has a place on my desk for frequent consultation. It is logically presented, digestible, and above all, useful.' – Captain Christopher Ward, Intelligence & Policy Analyst, FDNY Center for Terrorism & Disaster Preparedness; Instructor, Wilmington University
'This book provides a comprehensive examination of theoretical explanations, motivating factors, recruitment strategies, and the role of cyberspace in fueling terrorism both in the United States and abroad—[and] a thought-provoking discussion on ending terrorism…in our national and global landscapes.' – Claudia San Miguel, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice/Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Texas A&M International University
"[Terrorism in America’s] coverage of this subject from a criminological perspective is so insightful and detailed that it will also appeal to a broader audience that seeks to understand the magnitude of domestic terrorist threats facing America." – Book Review in Perspectives on Terrorism, Vol. 13, Issue 1 (Feb. 2019), pp. 13-14.
