Erica Chenoweth, Richard English, Andreas Gofas, and Stathis N. Kalyvas, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Terrorism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019.

The Oxford Handbook of Terrorism systematically integrates the substantial body of scholarship on terrorism and counterterrorism before and after 9/11. In doing so, it introduces scholars and practitioners to state of the art approaches, methods, and issues in studying and teaching these vital phenomena. This Handbook goes further than most existing collections by giving structure and direction to the fast-growing but somewhat disjointed field of terrorism studies.

The volume locates terrorism within the wider spectrum of political violence instead of engaging in the widespread tendency towards treating terrorism as an exceptional act. Moreover, the volume makes a case for studying terrorism within its socio-historical context. Finally, the volume addresses the critique that the study of terrorism suffers from lack of theory by reviewing and extending the theoretical insights contributed by several fields – including political science, political economy, history, sociology, anthropology, criminology, law, geography, and psychology. In doing so, the volume showcases the analytical advancements and reflects on the challenges that remain since the emergence of the field in the early 1970s.

Features

• Introduces scholars and practitioners to the state of the art approaches, methods, and issues in studying terrorism and counterterrorism
• Locates terrorism within the wider spectrum of political violence
• Showcases theoretical insights about terrorism and contributes to the interdisciplinary ethos of the study of terrorism
• Features contributions from leading scholars in the field

Advance praise for the Oxford Handbook of Terrorism:

“The Oxford Handbook of Terrorism fills an immense gap in the study of this subject in presenting the research, analysis and reflections of the field’s most eminent scholars. Its nearly fifty chapters comprehensively address the key debates, critical contours, and diverse methodological approaches that comprise terrorism studies. The editors have commendably assembled a truly authoritative and indisputably provocative work that will be of interest to students and scholars as well as to policymakers and government officials.”

– Bruce Hoffman, Professor at the Security Studies Program, Georgetown University and author of Inside Terrorism

“This is a comprehensive, thoughtful, and critical assessment of the state of terrorism studies, from its origins to today, with a wonderful range of contributors.  It’s an invaluable handbook for those teaching, researching, and writing about terrorism on the cutting edge of scholarship–and for those who aspire to do so.  Strongly recommended.”

– Audrey Kurth Cronin, Professor at American University and author of How Terrorism Ends

“This is a very useful, comprehensive and well-organized study of a very difficult, important subject. Many leading scholars in the field provide significant contributions.”

– David C. Rapoport, UCLA, Founding and Chief Editor of Terrorism and Political Violence

“This enormously important Handbook is a wonderful contribution to the literature on terrorism. It brings together from across the globe the insights of many of the most accomplished academics who have been working in this field for decades, along with keen analysis from a broad range of young academics. It is a testament to the maturation of the field.”

– Louise Richardson, Professor at the University of Oxford and author of What Terrorists Want

“With an impressive muster of contributors, including many of the most distinguished scholars in the field, addressing a comprehensive range of issues, this Handbook provides a state-of-the-art survey of current research on terrorism.”

– Charles Townshend, Professor of International History Emeritus, Keele University