The New Threat: The Past, Present, and Future of Islamic Militancy
Jason Burke
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
Bookshop.org has the highest-rated customer service of any bookstore in the world
Description
Jason Burke is one of the world's leading experts on militant Islam. He embedded with the Kurdish peshmerga (currently at war with ISIS) while still in college. He was hanging out with the Taliban in the late 1990s. He witnessed the bombing of Tora Bora in Afghanistan in 2001 firsthand. With the current emergence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria and the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, no one is as well placed as Burke--whose previous books have been chosen as books of the year by The Economist, the Daily Telegraph, and The Independent--to explain this dramatic post-Al Qaeda phase of Islamic militancy. We are now, he argues, entering a new phase of radical violence that is very different from what has gone before, one that is going to redefine the West's relationship with terrorism and the Middle East. ISIS is not "medieval," as many U.S. national security pundits claim, but, Burke explains, a group whose spectacular acts of terror are a contemporary expression of our highly digitized societies, designed to generate global publicity. In his account, radical Islamic terrorism is not an aberration or "cancer," as some politicians assert; it is an organic part of the modern world. This book will challenge the preconceptions of many American readers and will be hotly debated in national security circles.Product Details
Price
$26.95
$25.06
Publisher
New Press
Publish Date
November 03, 2015
Pages
192
Dimensions
5.6 X 8.4 X 1.1 inches | 1.0 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781620971352
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliateAbout the Author
Jason Burke is the South Asia correspondent for The Guardian and The Observer. His book Al Qaeda is regarded as one of the most perceptive and original books on Islamic terrorism. Currently based in New Delhi, he covers a wide range of social, political, and cultural topics across South Asia and is a regular commentator on television and radio.
Reviews
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for Al Qaeda:
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc."
"
Praise for The New Threat:
Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrativeA rewarding, if sobering, read.
"Kirkus Reviews," STARRED review
[The New Threat] is a scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
"The National"
"Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
Peter Bergen, the author of "Manhunt, the Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for "Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam"
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc.""
Praise for The New Threat:
"Forgive the cliche: This book is essential reading. No hyperbole required...By no means does Burke trivialize the threat or question its existence. But he argues that to treat that threat as existential is to commit a categorical error. So too is any tendency to view Islamic militancy as monolithic or static."
"The American Conservative"
Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrativeA rewarding, if sobering, read.
"Kirkus Reviews," STARRED review
[The New Threat] is a scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
"The National"
"Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
Peter Bergen, the author of "Manhunt, the Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for "Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam"
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc."
"
Praise for "The New Threat"
"The New Threat" is a much-needed and timely addition to the growing literature on jihadist organizations.
"The Washington Book Review"
This book makes an important contribution to the ongoing effort of writers and journalists to bring news and insight into the global assault on our values, freedoms, and lives.
"The New York Journal of Books"
"Forgive the cliche: This book is essential reading. No hyperbole required...By no means does Burke trivialize the threat or question its existence. But he argues that to treat that threat as existential is to commit a categorical error. So too is any tendency to view Islamic militancy as monolithic or static."
"The American Conservative"
Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrativeA rewarding, if sobering, read.
"Kirkus Reviews," STARRED review
[The New Threat] is a scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
"The National"
"Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
Peter Bergen, the author of "Manhunt, the Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for "Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam"
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc."
"
Praise for The New Threat
This is the book for which anyone bewildered by the seemingly multifarious nature of Islamic militancy, and longing for a primer, has been waiting.
--Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Dynasty [Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam.
--William Dalrymple, author of Nine Lives One of the best reporters and analysts writing in the West about militant Islam. . . . Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
--Peter Bergen, the author of Manhunt The book on jihad that Donald Trump needs to read.
--Newsweek A fine overview [from] one of the shrewdest observers of contemporary Muslim activism. . . . Draws together the strands of a highly complex reality to create a picture that is not just convincing but readable.
--The New York Review of Books Compelling and meticulously researched.
--Foreign Affairs The most accessible and up-to-date analysis of the development of Islamic militancy. It gives a clear and convincing account of the evolution through the 20th century of the philosophy that seeks to justify this particular brand of terror. . . . Instead of throwing light on the deceptions or ineptitudes of our own leaders in all this . . . Burke keeps his sights fixed on the movements of Islamic militants. The view is consistently fascinating.
--The Guardian A scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
--The National A much-needed and timely addition to the growing literature on jihadist organizations. It is distinctly different from other books on jihadist organizations in that it puts the Islamic State in the right perspective. It provides a dispassionate analysis of the Islamic State. This book is scholarly and highly readable at the same time. It is a must-read for those who want to defeat Islamic terrorism.
--Washington Book Review The author brings an unusual clarity to the discussion of this new movement and to his exposition of the theory and practice of Islamic militancy, including its creative uses of the Internet and social media to promote extremist ideologies. Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrative . . . readers looking for a comprehensive guide to this serious global challenge will find this a rewarding, if sobering, read.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Wide-ranging and thought-provoking . . . this timely and well-informed study deserves a wide audience.
--Publishers Weekly Raw, wide-ranging and well-informed, this is history written directly from the front line.
--Evening Standard This book makes an important contribution to the ongoing effort of writers and journalists to bring news and insight into the global assault on our values, freedoms, and lives.
--The New York Journal of Books Forgive the cliche This book is essential reading. No hyperbole required. . . . By no means does Burke trivialize the threat or question its existence. But he argues that to treat that threat as existential is to commit a categorical error. So too is any tendency to view Islamic militancy as monolithic or static.
--The American Conservative
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for Al Qaeda:
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc."
"
Praise for The New Threat:
Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrativeA rewarding, if sobering, read.
"Kirkus Reviews," STARRED review
[The New Threat] is a scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
"The National"
"Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
Peter Bergen, the author of "Manhunt, the Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for "Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam"
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc.""
Praise for The New Threat:
"Forgive the cliche: This book is essential reading. No hyperbole required...By no means does Burke trivialize the threat or question its existence. But he argues that to treat that threat as existential is to commit a categorical error. So too is any tendency to view Islamic militancy as monolithic or static."
"The American Conservative"
Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrativeA rewarding, if sobering, read.
"Kirkus Reviews," STARRED review
[The New Threat] is a scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
"The National"
"Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
Peter Bergen, the author of "Manhunt, the Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for "Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam"
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc."
"
Praise for "The New Threat"
"The New Threat" is a much-needed and timely addition to the growing literature on jihadist organizations.
"The Washington Book Review"
This book makes an important contribution to the ongoing effort of writers and journalists to bring news and insight into the global assault on our values, freedoms, and lives.
"The New York Journal of Books"
"Forgive the cliche: This book is essential reading. No hyperbole required...By no means does Burke trivialize the threat or question its existence. But he argues that to treat that threat as existential is to commit a categorical error. So too is any tendency to view Islamic militancy as monolithic or static."
"The American Conservative"
Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrativeA rewarding, if sobering, read.
"Kirkus Reviews," STARRED review
[The New Threat] is a scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
"The National"
"Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
Peter Bergen, the author of "Manhunt, the Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
Praise for Jason Burke:
"[Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam."
William Dalrymple, author of "Nine Lives"
Praise for "Al Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam"
"Essential reading."
Noam Chomsky
"Burke is a superb journalist."
"The Daily Telegraph"
"An expert on Islamic terrorism."
Robert Mackey, "The New York Times"
"An indispensable guide to the multidimensional reality of Al-Qaeda."
John Gray
"a book which vastly increases our understanding of the Al-Qaeda phenomenon. Burke writes with admirable lucidity and the benefit of his frontline reporting and deep research."
Peter Bergen, author of "Holy War, Inc."
"
Praise for The New Threat
This is the book for which anyone bewildered by the seemingly multifarious nature of Islamic militancy, and longing for a primer, has been waiting.
--Tom Holland, author of Rubicon and Dynasty [Burke is] the most reliable and perceptive guide to the rise of militant Islam.
--William Dalrymple, author of Nine Lives One of the best reporters and analysts writing in the West about militant Islam. . . . Like all of Burke's books, this one is cogently argued and well written.
--Peter Bergen, the author of Manhunt The book on jihad that Donald Trump needs to read.
--Newsweek A fine overview [from] one of the shrewdest observers of contemporary Muslim activism. . . . Draws together the strands of a highly complex reality to create a picture that is not just convincing but readable.
--The New York Review of Books Compelling and meticulously researched.
--Foreign Affairs The most accessible and up-to-date analysis of the development of Islamic militancy. It gives a clear and convincing account of the evolution through the 20th century of the philosophy that seeks to justify this particular brand of terror. . . . Instead of throwing light on the deceptions or ineptitudes of our own leaders in all this . . . Burke keeps his sights fixed on the movements of Islamic militants. The view is consistently fascinating.
--The Guardian A scrupulously researched study based on calm and cogent analysis, compellingly told.
--The National A much-needed and timely addition to the growing literature on jihadist organizations. It is distinctly different from other books on jihadist organizations in that it puts the Islamic State in the right perspective. It provides a dispassionate analysis of the Islamic State. This book is scholarly and highly readable at the same time. It is a must-read for those who want to defeat Islamic terrorism.
--Washington Book Review The author brings an unusual clarity to the discussion of this new movement and to his exposition of the theory and practice of Islamic militancy, including its creative uses of the Internet and social media to promote extremist ideologies. Burke covers a lot of important ground in a compact narrative . . . readers looking for a comprehensive guide to this serious global challenge will find this a rewarding, if sobering, read.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Wide-ranging and thought-provoking . . . this timely and well-informed study deserves a wide audience.
--Publishers Weekly Raw, wide-ranging and well-informed, this is history written directly from the front line.
--Evening Standard This book makes an important contribution to the ongoing effort of writers and journalists to bring news and insight into the global assault on our values, freedoms, and lives.
--The New York Journal of Books Forgive the cliche This book is essential reading. No hyperbole required. . . . By no means does Burke trivialize the threat or question its existence. But he argues that to treat that threat as existential is to commit a categorical error. So too is any tendency to view Islamic militancy as monolithic or static.
--The American Conservative