The Dynamics of the Armed Struggle

by J. Bowyer Bell

Overview

This is an analysis of one of the most prevalent forms of political violence at the end of the millennium. The author has been shot at, kidnapped, expelled and questioned in wars from Central America to Northern Ireland. The book reflects his access to the cultures of political violence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780714644226
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/30/1998
Pages:	308
Product dimensions:	6.75(w) x 9.75(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

The nature of the armed struggle; the arena; analysis and reality; the faith's galaxy; recruitment; individuals; organization; command and control; maintenance; communications; deployment; intelligence; the campaign; the enemy; the end-game; the dynamics of the dream.

Editorial Reviews

Drawing largely from his years touring the political undergrounds of the world, and the information he received from guerilla fighters and their opponents as well as his own observations, Bell generalizes to construct a general structure of armed revolt. The arena, recruitment, command and control, deployment, intelligence, and the end-game are among his topics. He cites almost no bibliographical sources and of course does not name the others. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

'This book is not an examination of what terrorists do or even why they do it but of why they are terrorists in the first place. It is both chilling and informative ... there is a lot of provocative reading in this book about the nature of organisation, control, targeting, communication, counter-insurgency.' - Contemporary Review

'The book is more than worth the price of admission: thematic chapters on topics such as ideology, recruitment, organization, command and control, logistics, operations, the end game, and the enemy each is a lucid exposition of that aspect of the armed struggle.' - Choice

'The book will sometimes seem provocative, often wise, but always based on personal observation and long experience.' - International Affairs

'An admirable study of the armed struggle ... this book provides many remarkable insights into the culture of terrorists.' - Times Literary Supplement

'A serious attempt to analyse low-intensity conflict in a variety of locales .. his book provides a succint treatment useful to both academics and a wider audience .. .the author's breadth of knowledge and insight is commendable ... this is a very useful study of terrorism, one that can be recommended to students.' - English Historical Review

From the Publisher