Talking Terrorism A Dictionary of the Loaded Language of Political Violence

Subjects:

• Communications » Political Communications
• Communications » Rhetoric/Speech
• Political Science » Political Science (General)
• Political Science » International Relations

Reviews:

• [a] dictionary with a social and political objective: to explore how supposedly civilized people, groups, and governments the world over use language to provide a moral justification for violence....Herbst sticks to his bias-busting agenda without ever falling into the trap of political correctness or taking sides on an issue....This title is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.
  —Library Journal November 1, 2003
• Talking Terrorism is a splendid foray into an area heretofore unexplored. The work deals with the language that eulogizes violence and promotes bigotry, hatred, and death; it uncovers the truth behind lies and propaganda. Language can shape a nation's identity or its predilection toward violence or response to it. Herbst provides insight into how language can define or deform political reality, yet his book is not a study of the socio-politico-economic events that coalesce or galvanize a people or individual to commit violent acts. Talking Terrorism is original, refreshing, and insightful. It attempts to discern the why of terrorism and political violence from the perspective of language. Highly recommended. All readership levels.
  —Choice January 2004
• [T]his is in many ways an unconventional book, and a book of great courage and insight. While it is not the usual fare of linguistics courses, I can certainly see using it in a lot of the work we do. Its definitions can make for lively class discussions in semantics and pragmatics courses, and many of its themes and terms have bearing for sociolinguistsics as well. As linguists and sociolinguists, we need full awareness of how we deform language and how it, in turn, deforms us. Talking Terrorism is an invaluable wake-up call.
  —Language in Society 2005
• Advanced students doing research on political theory, current topics or the media might find this work valuable. Certainly, some of the terms would be difficult to research on a filtered Internet system.
  —School Library Journal April 2004
• An excellent introduction to the topic of terrorism and use of language by politicians frames the discussion of the terms....a fascinating and necessary addition to available material on language as well as on terrorism. Recommended for academic and public libraries.
  —Booklist/RBB February 15, 2004
• This reference book provides a detailed treatment of the language of terrorism from political and historical perspectives....The alphabetically arranged entries are comprehensive and contain admirable period coverage....has an excellent easy-to-use index and a wonderful bibliography, as well as an exceptional cross-reference system....a valuable source and reference tool, especially for high school and public libraries.
  —VOYA February 2004

• Endorsement From Norman Solomon
  co-author of Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn't Tell You
  Executive Director, Institute for Public Accuracy: Philip Herbst is definitely on to something as he relentlessly analyzes the manipulation of language about violent political actions. Talking Terrorism is a well-researched and thoughtful book that challenges the reader to rethink assumptions about buzzwords that pass before our eyes and funnel into our ears every day. While the news media seem to thrive on unthinking repetition of easy clichés and stereotypes grouped around rhetoric about "terrorism," Herbst invites us to think more deeply about routine words and their demagogic uses.

Table of Contents:

• About This Dictionary
• Alphabetical Entries
• General Bibliography