Confronting Fear: A History of Terrorism
This mistitled book is less a history than a compilation of writings on various forms of terrorism--political, religious, and "fringe," such as the Unabomber. Cronin, who has written eight books, including a study on American prison life, has an eye for drama in his selections. After a very short introduction (which is basically only a glossary), he begins with what he calls "prehistory," which takes us all the way back to the 1890s and the Greenwich Observatory Bombing of 1894, as well as the assassination of President McKinley. Much more to the point is an essay by Patrick Seale, which is based on his bookAbu Nidal: A Gun for Hire, which provides an inside look at a major terrorist group. This is a good volume to have at hand in today's uncertain world as a quick reference to various instant newsmakers who populate our "Breaking News" mindset.Allen WeaklandCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved