Terrorism
Last updated: February 12, 2025
Our coverage of terrorism is focused mainly on the current “war on terrorism” and the lead up to, and fallout from, 9/11. However, we do have some interviews that take a more general approach. John (Lord) Alderdice, the former Northern Ireland politician, who helped negotiate the Good Friday Agreement chooses his best books on the psychology of terrorism. Simon Conway, the writer and former British Army officer, in his best books on crime and terror puts global terrorism in its broader political and economic context.
Yosri Fouda choses his best books on 9/11. Peter Bergen chooses the best books on Osama bin Laden and Jason Burke chooses the best books on Islamic militancy. The BBC’s Peter Taylor chooses his best books on Al Qaeda.
A number of interviews are focused on the post-9/11 world. The academic and journalist Peter Beinart recommends the best books on post-9/11 America and Mary Habeck's best books on terrorism are devoted to exploring the war on terror. Patrick Cockburn chooses his best books on the Iraq War and Hugh Gusterson looks at drone warfare.
If you’re looking for one book to understand the origins of Al-Qaeda and the lead-up to 9/11, the most recommended and much praised book among these interviews is The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright, for which he won a Pulitzer prize.
The best books on Terrorism, recommended by Audrey Kurth Cronin
It’s hard to remember when in the midst of one, but terrorism campaigns do always end. Audrey Kurth Cronin, author of How Terrorism Ends, recommends the best books on terrorism.
The best books on The Psychology of Terrorism, recommended by Lord Alderdice
Terrorism is a misused, overused term. Correctly used, it refers to a specific form of asymmetric warfare. The Northern Ireland peace negotiator tells us how and why it starts and what can end it.
The best books on Who Terrorists Are, recommended by Jessica Stern
International terror expert Jessica Stern takes a close look at the mind of the terrorist. She explores why people are drawn to extreme violence and how, in many cases, terrorists can build their identities around ideologies that they hold in an ultimately shallow way
The best books on Drone Warfare, recommended by Hugh Gusterson
The introduction of drones “makes possible perpetual war without costs”, warns the anthropology professor and security expert Hugh Gusterson. Here he selects the best books that examine their ethical, psychological and political impact upon 21st century warfare.
The best books on Terrorism, recommended by Mary Habeck
The Professor of Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins University picks five books you must read to understand the War on Terror, starting with one that tries to define what terrorism is.
The best books on Osama bin Laden, recommended by Peter Bergen
Many thought that 9/11 was the start of an Al-Qaeda assault on the West, but it turned out to be Bin Laden’s Pearl Harbor – a victory that led to strategic defeat – says Peter Bergen, one of the few reporters who met the Saudi-born militant.
The best books on Post-9/11 America, recommended by Peter Beinart
The neoconservative view that the US has a special mission in the world was supercharged by 9/11. There was also a sense that 9/11 could make America better. Sadly it didn’t work out that way, says Peter Beinart
The best books on Islamic Militancy, recommended by Jason Burke
Jason Burke, journalist and author of an acclaimed book on Al-Qaeda, tells us what he learnt about militants when he was caught in a firefight in Iraq—and suggests five books we should read to understand their motivations.
The best books on The Iraq War, recommended by Patrick Cockburn
The veteran Middle East correspondent gives us his tips for the best reading about the US-led invasion and occupation, and explains why the West shouldn’t have intervened in Iraq in the first place
The best books on Al-Qaeda, recommended by Peter Taylor
The award-winning BBC documentary maker Peter Taylor tells us what he learned in his ten years investigating Al-Qaeda, and suggests what we should read to understand where the group came from, and what it’s still trying to do
