God's Assassins : The Medieval Roots of Terrorism

Terrorism the imposition of, or opposition to, government with the threat or fear of force is mostly regarded as a modern horror, implemented by bombs, hijackings and assassinations. But the origins of terrorism occur far back in the Middle Ages, when the forefathers of the modern world's most uncompromising terrorists - al-Qaeda and the Palestinian suicide bombers, laid down their murderous creed. This illuminating study analyses the origins and history of terrorism, separating legend from truth to uncover the true roots of the fanatical terrorist acts the world has witnessed in the last decade. This will be essential reading for all historians, and for anyone who, up until now, may have thought that outrageous acts of terrorism causing untold civilian casualties, was a curse of the modern age.