Terrorism is the most clear and present danger we confront today, yet no phenomenon is more poorly understood by policymakers, the media, and the general public. The Faces of Terrorism is the first serious interdisciplinary examination of terrorism in all its facets. What gives rise to it, who are its proponents and how do they think, and how--and why--does it work?

The paradoxes of terrorism -- Conditions and causes of terrorism -- Ideological bases of terrorist behavior -- Motivation, social origins, recruitment, groups, audiences, and the media in the terrorism process -- Anticipating, experiencing, and responding to terrorist attacks -- Discouraging terrorism -- The long-term international context of terrorism -- Appendix: The infernal problems of definition and designation.