Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorists

By Benjamin Netanyahu

Book Overview

In this innovative and concise work, Israeli politician Benjamin Netanyahu offers a compelling approach to understanding and fighting the increase in domestic and international terrorism throughout... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374524971
• ISBN13: 9780374524975
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux-3pl
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

If only our government had listened...

This book first came out in the mid-1990s. If only the U.S. government had listened to the Israelis and the author, who increasingly had warned the U.S., or tried to, of the growing jihadist threat, not just around the world, but also inside the U.S (the Israelis had known of Islamic terrorists in places like Oklahoma city, etc. in the 1990s). At one point in this book, the author states that the threat is growing and "it is only a matter of time before they strike the United States, from within". Very true, unfortunately. This book costs less than $ 20, and yet, the CIA could have learned more from it than the billions they spend every year "monitoring" terrorists. I think the author also does a good job in explaining that it is not Islam per se that is the enemy, but the jihadists (Wahhabis, etc.). He also is able to put himself into the shoes of the Arabs and see how they view the world, which of course is very helpful. He does this from a position not of hatred or conflict, but just from a position of knowledge, and wanting to know.

Intended for the Novice

I echo some of the sentiments of other reviewers, but not all. This book is intended for one who's just immersing themselves in the topic of terrorism, both domestic and international. It take's a very simplistic approach. Netanyahu doesn't go into the nuts and bolts of his ideas. I imagine it was meant to be a quick read for a plane flight or something. These seems obvious to me by the fact that it's only 150 pages long. It wasn't meant to be an encyclopedia However, to say that Netanyahu is no expert on terrorism is so absurd it's comical. Not only is he an expert on terrorism, this book was almost prophetic (having been written in 1995) in its predictions. Everything Netanyahu touched on either has come true or would be if terrorists had their way. The final ten points he touches on have all been implemented to some degree following 9/11, and it's because of that implementation America hasn't been hit and terrorists have been extremely curtailed in their ability to do damage. This read is worth it, at least as a good introduction to the subject.

Essential History and a Clear Blueprint for Action

In "Fighting Terrorism" Benjamin Netanyahu provides us with a clear and concise history of terrorism, and a universal action plan for eradicating it. In his typical engaging and creative use of the English language, the former Prime Minister of Israel sounds a clarion call to the free societies of the world; while terrorism has advanced far beyond anyone's worst imaginings, it is still very much containable, provided that the free world wakes up, remembers history, and musters its resources and armaments to eradicate the growing scourge. The section on the specter of nuclear terrorism is chilling, particularly with the recent announcement by North Korea of its own nuclear capabilities. Many areas mentioned in the book are worthy of further study: After flipping the last page, I immediately began reading "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes to fill in my understanding of how the most brilliant minds in the world, many of them peace-loving, contributed to our most horrific invention, one which looms large in the future of our fight against terrorism. Please read this book and realize that the 12th hour is upon us!

Hard solutions for a deadly problem

As a former Naval Counter-terrorism analyst, I look for books that provide factual material without a sugarcoating of political ideology. Prime Minister Netanyahu has well accomplished this feat within this book. By using both personal experience and historical perspective, PM Netanyahu provides a step by step program for the isolation and eventual defeat of terrorist organizations. He provides heretofore unknown facts that gives an insight into the mindset of the terrorists and those that fight them. This book is a 'must read' for any student of International Politics, Terrorism, those wishing to learn the truth of international terrorism

Educated View

I read this book to have a look at the insights of a man, who personally as a soldier has had to deal with the after shocks of terrorism, and as a leader of a nation that has to deal with it every day. I don't wish to pass comment on those who have also reviewed this book before me, as they live in Israel and I don't. I am aware of Mr Netanyahu's background as well as that of his successor Mr Barak. And I feel that both will continue to hold the ideals of counterterrorism that both have experienced, partly explained in this book.