There are thousands of books about terrorism or insurgency. More appear every day and more
will eventually be added to this recommended reading list. Some of the books here were
published some years ago and are out of print, some are new. All share in one thing: The Project
leaders believe that they distill the essential information about the war terrorists have declared
against Americans. People in the POINTS project may want to debate the relative merits of a
particular book; most readers want a quick survey of the problem that they can use in their
everyday life. We believe the books on this list, when read and understood, provide a level of
knowledge that professionals in the field of anti-terrorism take years to acquire. These books
represent the "short course" on terrorism.
Fear Less, by Gavin De Becker. If the reader wants a quick survey and action
plan for being part of the solution and not part of the problem, this book provides an outline.
Pick and choose among the suggestions. POINTS project members do not agree on all points in
the book; they do agree it lays out a workable plan of action.
The Gift of Fear, by Gavin De Becker. Subtitled "survival signals that protect
from violence," De Becker's book crystalizes the concepts of intuitive self-protection through
observation and action. The material in th book has many applications in daily life.
When Men Revolt and Why, Edited by James Chowning Davies. This older book
explains many of the "whys" that the public prints keep harping on. Though the book deals
primarily with forms of insurgency other than terrorism, the information is applicable. Poverty
is not "the" cause though it can be one factor among many.
The Dynamics of the Armed Struggle, by J. Bowyer Bell. The masterwork is
written by the man who is arguably the most incisive writer and thinker on terrorism in our time,
this is his magnum opus. Far more difficult to read and understand than many of his other
works, The Dynamics of Armed Struggle opens up new territory for the next generation
of terrorism specialists to explore.
A Time of Terror -- How Democratic Societies Respond to Revolutionary
Violence, by J. Bowyer Bell. Bell, writing in the age of terrorist violence
that convulsed Europe, examined the ongoing attempt of democratic states to formulate a
response to terrorism. The response of democratic states then was neither coherent nor
ideologically consistent and the same sorts of problems Bell spotlighted remain as problems
today. The last chapter, in particular the last two pages and specifically the last paragraph of
A Time of Terror sum up the most pressing problem we face today. That problem is not
terrorists or terrorism, but how we respond to our attackers.
To locate out-of-print and second hand books of all kinds, try the many bookstores in the U.S.
and Great Britain that funnel into ABE Books.
The Red Cross has
disaster preparedness information in PDF format.
Georgia's Homeland Security Department
has prepared an excellent web page dealing with many phases of the threat, including safety, bio-
terrorism and cyberspace security. The site also has an anti-terrorism pocket
card in pdf format that you can print out. It is also found on our
site.
Rand Corporation crafted an excellent study called Preparing the Army for Homeland
Security. The study, in book form, is $35. But the entire 10-chapter report can be
downloaded -- section by section -- in pdf format for free.
General Accounting Office reports contain are often critical
surveys of a an agency, department or government function. The GAO web site maintains special
collections devoted to Homeland Security, Terrorism and Airport Security."
Reducing the threat to American
agriculture as part of the Homeland Defense program is covered on the dedicated pages of
the House Agriculture Committee.
The Homeland Security Organization
concentrates on the issue of homeland defense. They have an excellent site, with many
documents, and interested readers can check up on their weekly newsletter.
Terrorism
Patterns of Global Terrorism from the U.S.
State Department is an essesntial document. The site has the most recent copy and other
documents of interest.
The "Gilmore Reports" to Congress and the President outline the threat and the response to
terrorists seeking to use weapons of mass destruction. Understanding of the reports is crucial to
any informed discussion of the subject. The reports are available here in pdf format.
