The Infernal Machine: An Alternative History of Terrorism - Brossura

Carr, Matthew

Brossura

ISBN 10: 184904080X ISBN 13: 9781849040808

Casa editrice: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd, 2010

Riassunto

Today, political violence has become the scourge of our world and terrorism is routinely described as a uniquely modern evil. Yet however unprecedented in scope the new terrorist organizations might appear, Matthew Carr argues in this definitive history of terrorism that they are merely offshoots of a spectacular bombing in 1881: the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II by terrorists ...or were they freedom fighters? Thus begins a narrative of extraordinary sweep that Publishers Weekly called 'engrossing, unsettling' and the Boston Globe praised as 'brave and wise' and 'a book for the ages.' In The Infernal Machine, Carr unearths the complex realities of terrorist violence and its indelible impact on nations as different as Italy, Argentina, France, Algeria, Ireland, Russia, Japan, and the United States. Spanning over a century of world history, The Infernal Machine reveals stunning similarities in societies' responses to terrorism despite profound political and cultural differences. Carr demonstrates again and again that the true impact of terrorism has been felt in the overreactions of government and the media to acts of political violence. This encyclopedic and diagnostic primer for our frightening times allows us to see our current predicament against a background of striking historical parallels.

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Recensione

'Academic criticism of the quasi-field of 'terrorism studies' has been muted. By contrast, journalist Matthew Carr delivers a fierce assault on 'terrorology' the exaggeration of the terrorist threat by governments and supposed experts, long predating 9/11. His view of 'a world tormented by the fantasy of absolute terror and fixated by a futile search for absolute security' may be a bit one-sided, but it makes a vital point.' --Times Higher Education

'Carr's central point is that [politicians'] responses go beyond all sensible assessment of risk and do half the terrorist's job for him. ... I am with Carr in believing that the chief risk today is not of Muslim terrorists undermining western democracy but of the West doing so itself by absurdly overstating that risk.' --Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times

'Carr has a twofold mission. To establish the humanity and sanity of men and women whom governmental and media maledictions have routinely caricatured as evil monsters, and to expose the atrocities and injustices that are perpetrated under the guise of counter-terrorism.' --Michael Burleigh, Sunday Telegraph

L'autore

Matthew Carr is a writer, broadcaster, and journalist who has reported on a number of violent conflicts. He is also the author of Blood and Faith: The Purging of Muslim Spain (Hurst, 2010).

Dettagli dell?edizione

• Editore: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 184904080X
• ISBN 13: 9781849040808
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 416
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile
• Persona responsabile: non disponibile