Terrorism Today: The Past, The Players, The Future, 4th Edition
BOOK REVIEW: Jeremy R. Spindlove and Clifford E. Simonsen,Terrorism Today: The Past, The Players, The Future,(Prentice-Hall, Inc.), 2009. Prentice-Hall’s stimulating textbook,Terrorism Today, offers a commanding contribution concerning the enduring role of terrorism on the world stage. The book’s emphasis addresses the past, significant players, and future implications of a struggle that threatens the world’s safety and security.  Well chosen themes provide excellent scholarly content concerning the role of international terrorism. Jeremy R. Spindlove and Clifford E. Simonsen bring their professional and academic expertise to the prominent Fourth Edition.  In addition, the authors’ efforts offer excellent research methodology and critical thinking applications.The organization of the text helps facilitate appropriate learning progressions and content retention. Terrorism Todayis divided into three major parts, and includes fifteen chapters. The textbook makes an impressive contribution to historical foundations, while examining the potential risks of terrorism in the twenty-first century. The text offers well-developed themes from most recent resources. An insightful historical analysis allows readers to integrate the origins of terrorism, and understand its evolution, while exploring future innovations.This noteworthy text offers many opportunities to learn about the world of contemporary terrorism. Captivating case studies offer opportunities to explore the integral dynamics of terrorist strategies and tactics.  The core issues of terrorism including: (1) continuing patterns, (2) current consequences, and (3) potential future consequences, unfold in a dynamic saga of violence.Fifteen chapters flow with amazing clarity, coherence and readability, and inspire the reader forward through over five hundred pages. The balance of theory, history, practical content and illustrations serve the text in the finest traditions. The instructor’s manual, PowerPoint and related support items enhance powerful classroom and training presentations.In summary, every library in the nation should include a copy ofTerrorism Today. Moreover, this book serves as an appropriate desktop reference for practitioners and academics.Terrorism Todayserves as a primary resource for police, military, security officials, strategic planners, and policy makers. This text definitely meets the needs of community college and university Homeland Security and Criminal Justice programs. Furthermore, an international audience may find this text useful in addressing their intervention and prevention strategies. The reviewer personally applauds the authors’ efforts to address the critical issues of the twenty-first century.  — Thomas E. Baker, Associate Professor