In today's climate, these is a powerful need for a balanced, expert and accessible account of the psychology of terrorists and terrorism. Written by an expert team of psychologists and psychiatrists, these contributors have direct experience of working with terrorists, victims and those tasked with the enormous responsibility of attempting to combat terrorism. The first section focuses on terrorists as individuals and as groups and provides a balanced and objective insight into the psychology of terrorists; what their motivations are and what keeps them involved in terrorist groups. The second section explores the huge question of the impact of terrorism; the direct and indirect affect on victims; how societies respond and how political leaders handle the threat and consequences of terrorism. The final section focuses on the question of how to respond to terrorist threat. The most up-to-date account of our understanding of terrorists, their psychology and the impact they have on the world around them - Written by leading world experts on terrorist psychology - A complete view of terrorism - looks at the terrorists themselves, their victims and society as a whole “…highly recommended for its thoughtfulness and depth of scholarship…” (Australian and NZ Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 37, No 6) “…all the contributions are perceptive…would appeal to anyone interested in the processes underlying terrorism…” (Forensic Update, Jan 2004) Often disturbing, sometimes surprising and frequently disheartening, TERRORISTS, VICTIMS AND SOCIETY presents a clear and succinct view of what psychological research has revealed about terrorists and terrorism. Andrew Silke has gathered together contributions from psychologists and psychiatrists who have direct experience of researching terrorism, have met with terrorists and victims of terrorist violence, and with those responsible for combating and responding to terrorism. The result is a volume that provides a clear, intelligent and well-informed account of what psychology has learned in the past thirty years about issues relating to terrorism. It also demonstrates how one branch of social science can provide a powerful tool for insight and guidance on one of the most challenging problems facing the modern world. Essential reading for professionals in policing, security, government security agencies, forensic and legal psychology, prison and probation service and the military. It will also be important to all who are tasked with preparing for potential terrorist incidents, for example in mental health services, and a useful resource for students in psychology, criminology, politics and international relations. Often disturbing, sometimes surprising and frequently disheartening, TERRORISTS, VICTIMS AND SOCIETY presents a clear and succinct view of what psychological research has revealed about terrorists and terrorism. Andrew Silke has gathered together contributions from psychologists and psychiatrists who have direct experience of researching terrorism, have met with terrorists and victims of terrorist violence, and with those responsible for combating and responding to terrorism. The result is a volume that provides a clear, intelligent and well-informed account of what psychology has learned in the past thirty years about issues relating to terrorism. It also demonstrates how one branch of social science can provide a powerful tool for insight and guidance on one of the most challenging problems facing the modern world. Essential reading for professionals in policing, security, government security agencies, forensic and legal psychology, prison and probation service and the military. It will also be important to all who are tasked with preparing for potential terrorist incidents, for example in mental health services, and a useful resource for students in psychology, criminology, politics and international relations. Andrew Silke is a lecturer in Forensic Pschology based at the Centre for Applied Psychology at the University of Leichester. He has been actively researching political violence in Northen Ireland and primarily in Belfast since 1993. He has published a number of articles in academic journals on a wide range of issuse relating to terrorism and political violence. He has presented a large number of papers at national and international conferences.