Dictionary of Terrorism - Comprehensive Reference for Students

In this review of Dictionary of Terrorism the reviewer finds a compact, authoritative reference aimed at students, researchers and practitioners who need clear definitions and concise context on political violence. The revised and updated second edition stands out for bringing together entries on individual terrorists, organisations, incidents and concepts in one accessible volume, making it useful as a desk reference or course supplement. Its biggest strength is the breadth of coverage: readers get historical context, psychological perspectives and practical entries on measures against terrorism in a single reference work.

Key Features

• Comprehensive coverage: Includes entries on individual terrorists, organisations and incidents so readers can quickly locate background on a wide range of subjects related to political violence.
• Types and forms: Explains different types of terrorism and forms of political violence, helping users distinguish between ideological, nationalist and criminal motivations.
• Historical context: Summarises the history of terrorism to place modern incidents and trends in perspective for students and analysts.
• Practical measures: Covers measures against terrorism and countermeasures, offering useful reference material for policy and security studies.
• Psychological insight: Includes discussion of the psychology of terrorism, which aids understanding of motivations and recruitment dynamics in brief, readable entries.

Who It's For

Dictionary of Terrorism is well suited to undergraduate and graduate students in political science, international relations and security studies who need a reliable reference for course work or research. It also serves journalists and policy professionals who require quick definitions and concise background on organisations, incidents and counterterrorism measures.

Those seeking an in-depth single-author monograph or a heavily theoretical treatise should look elsewhere, since this work is formatted as a reference dictionary with many short entries rather than long-form analysis. Readers wanting exhaustive bibliographic coverage or primary source documents will need supplementary materials.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide scope that brings together individuals, organisations and incident summaries in one place for easy cross-reference.
• Clear, concise entries make it quick to find definitions and contextual notes during research or study.
• Includes multiple perspectives such as history and psychology, which broadens its usability across disciplines.

Cons

• As a dictionary-format reference, it does not provide extensive deep analysis or long-form theoretical discussion on each topic.

Specifications

Title	Dictionary of Terrorism
Edition	Revised and updated second edition
Author	John Richard Thackrah
Scope	Definitions and descriptions of terrorism, incidents, organisations and measures
Subjects included	History, psychology, types of terrorism, measures against terrorism
Intended audience	Students, researchers, journalists, policy professionals

Our Verdict

Dictionary of Terrorism is a practical, value-minded reference for anyone who needs concise, reliable entries on terrorism and political violence. Students and practitioners will appreciate the breadth of coverage and the inclusion of historical and psychological context, while those needing exhaustive analysis should supplement it with specialised monographs. Overall, it is a useful desk reference that earns its place on reading lists for security and political studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition update previous entries?
Yes, this is a revised and updated second edition that refreshes entries and includes recent contextual material where applicable.

Is it suitable for undergraduate coursework?
Yes, it is well suited as a course supplement or quick reference for undergraduates in political science and related fields.

Does it include policy recommendations?
It covers measures against terrorism and countermeasures in concise entries, but it is primarily a reference resource rather than a policy manual.