Another Kind of War

Listed on Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles List for 2019 The book makes a significant contribution to the history of terrorism and could prove to be groundbreaking in its interpretations. --Peter R. Mansoor, Ohio State University A comprehensive history of terrorism written by a prominent military historian. Professor Lynn considers terrorism to be a form of psychological warfare perpetrated to inflict fear or incite outrage. His broad definition enables him to consider the commonalities (and differences) of many types of violence carried out for psychological effect--including not only the jihadi or neo-Nazi terrorism in today's headlines, but also lynching by the Ku Klux Klan, systematic rape by war-time belligerents, and state-sanctioned bombing of civilians with the aim of instilling fear. An excellent overview of terrorism for students of world history--in or outside the classroom. This is a great book! --Jessica Stern, author of Terror in the Name of God John A. Lynn brings a unique historical and analytical perspective to the complex subject of terrorism. This book should be required reading for both policy makers and practitioners trying to formulate counters to the myriad approaches terrorists can take. As Lynn shows, the wrong response to acts of terror can cause more damage than the action that precipitated it. --Conrad C. Crane, author of Cassandra in Oz: Counterinsurgency and Future War A wide ranging and timely study in which a major scholar employs his knowledge of military history in order to explain a key strand in the history of violence. Lynn is to be congratulated on showing how terrorism should be part of military history. --Jeremy Black, author of War and the World Bringing wide historical insight to the study of terrorism, John Lynn argues that terrorist violence is a strategic option for the powerless that serves distinct political ends. Lynn's book is essential reading. --Allan R. Millet, University of New Orleans