Master Narratives of Islamist Extremism

This volume introduces the concept of Islamist extremist "master narratives" and offers a method for identifying and analyzing them. Drawing on rhetorical and narrative theories, the chapters examine thirteen master narratives and explain how extremists use them to solidify their base, recruit new members, and motivate actions. The book concludes with an integration of the idea of master narratives, their story forms, and archetypes into existing strategic communication understandings, and suggestions for using this approach to create counter-terrorism strategies.

Jeffry R. Halverson is an Islamic studies scholar and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.
H. L. Goodall Jr. is Professor of Communication at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.
Steven R. Corman is Director of the Consortium for Strategic Communication and a Professor of Communication at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.

1. What is a Master Narrative?
2. The Pharaoh
3. The Jahiliyyah
4. The Battle of Badr
5. The Hypocrites
6. The Battle of Khaybar
7. The Battle of Karbala
8. The Mahdi
9. The Infidel Invaders
10. Shaytan's Handiwork
11. 1924
12. The Nakba
13. 72 Virgins
Conclusion: Strategic Communication