The mind of the terrorist : the psychology of terrorism from the IRA to Al Qaeda / Jerrold M. Post.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [285]-298) and index.

In contrast to the widely held assumption that terrorists are crazed fanatics, political psychologist Post demonstrates that they are psychologically "normal" and that "hatred has been bred in the bone." He reveals the powerful motivations that drive these ordinary people to such extraordinary evil by exploring the different types of terrorists, from national-separatists like the Irish Republican Army to social revolutionary terrorists like Shining Path and the Weather Underground, as well as religious extremists like al Qaeda and Aum Shinrikyo. These psychological components are often waved away in favor of focusing on political, social, and economic concerns terrorists profess, damaging our ability to truly understand these criminals. Here, Post uses his expertise to explain how the terrorist mind works and how this information can help us to combat terrorism more effectively.--From publisher description.