Description
Book SynopsisLives at Risk: Hostages and Victims in American Foreign Policy is the first book that provides the historical content needed to understand terrorism and America''s responses to terrorist acts. Historian Russell D. Buhite here examines key instances of hostage-taking throughout U.S. history, from the late eighteenth century to the 1980s, and shows how our policies have evolved and how previous experiences can help us deal with terrorist threats today. Professor Buhite begins this study with a discussion of the special problems that the United States has faced in dealing with hostage crises. The subsequent chapters then proceed chronologically through U.S. history, narrating major hostage incidents and tracing changes in Washington''s stance toward terrorists. Lives at Risk will appeal to teachers of courses in foreign policy, diplomatic history, general history, and political science.
Trade ReviewThis masterful history of hostage taking with Americans as victims raises the question of whether open societies, even with the highest technology, will ever be able to cope with this curse. * The Washington Times *
Lives at Risk is a scholarly and highly readable account of a problem that has been with us since the early days of the republic and will continue to confront us in the future. A very timely, important book. -- Robert James Maddox, Pennsylvania State University
Sprightly written narrative that places incidents of terrorism against the United States within historical context and demonstrates their impact on the nation's foreign poicy. A timely work tha tis a must read for Americans in general and policymakers in particular. -- Howard Jones, research professory, University of Alabama
Russell D. Buhite's book could not come at a better time...Buhite transcends the chaotic drama of events and achieves a meaningful marriage of historical analysis and policy considerations. * Journal of American History *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: Terrorism and American Foreign Relations Chapter 2 The Barbary Pirates: Terrorist Tormentors of the Early Republic Chapter 3 A Question of Character: The Mailed Fist of the Nineteenth Century Chapter 4 A Study in Contradition: Theodore Roosevelt's Responses to Hostage Crises Chapter 5 At Risk in War and Revolution: Bargaining with the Soviet Union Chapter 6 Trial in Mukden: Hostages of the Chinese Communists Chapter 7 The Pueblo Crisis: Hostages of North Korea Chapter 8 Revolutionaries in Control: Hostages of Iran Chapter 9 Dealing with Brigands and Believers: An Appraisal Chapter 10 Appendix: Major Hostage Incidents in U.S. History
