C.C. Thomas

The ethics of terrorism; innovative approaches from an international perspective (17 lectures).

Law and criminology are the main perspectives as contributors from around the world examine the origins, history, and meaning of terrorism and its many avenues of expression. They look at ethnicity and community, culture, applied ethics, political and social ethics, and the ethics of religion. Among specific topics are the increasing influence of Islamic fundamentalists on the African-American community, fundamentalist Islam against occidental culture, how change helped Turkey deal with terrorism more effectively, who is to blame for modern terrorism and what can be done, and whether Western religions and terrorism interact. (Annotation ©2010 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Perfect enemy; the law enforcement manual of Islamist terrorism.

This reference for law enforcement officers and Homeland Security officials gives background on the doctrine of Islam and the ideology used to justify terrorist atrocities around the world. After a brief history of Muhammad and Islam, chapters cover Islam's dark side and Islamic ideology. One chapter is devoted to the history of Jihad, the oldest international Islamist group in the world, and several chapters examine the Muslim Brotherhood. The radicalization process that can lead ordinary Muslim citizens to terrorism is described in chapters on the techniques of the Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorist groups. There are also details on Islamist terrorist organizations active in the US. About 35 pages of appendices give information on Arab naming conventions, religious rituals, violent portions of Islamic sacred texts, jihad in history, and the Muslim Brotherhood. A few b&w photos and maps are included. Olson is retired from the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, Omaha. He teaches criminal justice at several Midwestern universities. (Annotation ©2010 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The professional helper; the fundamentals of being a helping professional.

For students who will become teachers, mentors, motivators, social workers, counselors, and other helping professionals, this guide outlines the different kinds of helping relationships and characteristics of professional helpers. Bryan (health promotion sciences, U. of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center) focuses on personal and professional qualities such as integrity, self-confidence, patience, an understanding of human behavior and oneself, knowledge of resources, and effective listening, as well as establishing a relationship, understanding cultural differences and disabilities, and the differences between individual and family counseling. (Annotation ©2010 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Training strategies for crisis and hostage negotiations; scenario writing and creative variations for role play.

A counseling psychologist for the Louisville Metro Police Department offers advice on defining goals for a training plan, developing vivid scenarios to help crisis negotiators practice their skills, and preparing both trainers and actors for creative role play. An appendix provides detailed role descriptions for the role practice exercise. Plastic spiral binding. (Annotation ©2010 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Violence goes to the internet; avoiding the snare of the net.

A police psychologist in the Denver area, Axelrod introduces Behavioral Risk Analysis of Violence Online (BRAVO) as a new approach to assessing violence and crime on the Internet that combines criminal profiling, threat assessment, and risk assessment. He says it can assess known and unknown perpetrators across both physical and virtual landscapes, and provide authorities with violence and risk levels, disruption levels, recommended target action, and investigative direction. He also surveys the various types and avenues of Internet crime and violence, including corporate crime and computer intrusion, fraud and identity theft, and hate groups and religious cults. A final section suggests measures to respond to Internet violence. (Annotation ©2010 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)