Violent Politics: A History of Insurgency, Terrorism, and Guerrilla War, from the American Revolution to Iraq

Guerrilla warfare is not just the tool of modern-day terrorists in the Middle East. Its roots stretch back to our very own revolution.

In "Violent Politics," William R. Polk takes us on a concise, brilliant tour of insurgencies throughout history, beginning with America's own struggle for independence. Continuing on, Polk explores the role of insurgency in other notable conflicts—including the Spanish guerrilla war against Napoleon, the Irish struggle for independence, the Algerian War of National Independence, and Vietnam—eventually landing at the ongoing campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the lessons of this history are needed more than ever.

"He provides ample proof that occupying armies...find it excruciatingly difficult to use legitimacy to defeat local insurgents and then exit gracefully." -Foreign Affairs"Opening in dramatic fashion with a pithy and powerful chapter about the American insurgency against the British, Polk then analyzes 10 other insurgencies in the modern era, emphasizing their uniform motivation: native opposition to foreign power. . . . As always Polk provides stern and articulate rebuttal to neoconservative approaches. . . . Concise, compelling, and important, this work seamlessly integrates international history and current events." -Booklist"A captivating but disquieting examination of how insurgencies begin, grow, persist and either succeed or fail. . . . Eye-opening. . . . A lucid, absorbing analysis of the theory and reality underpinning three centuries of insurgent movements." - Kirkus Reviews

William R. Polk taught Middle Eastern history and politi

William R. Polk taught Middle Eastern history and politi

William R. Polk taught Middle Eastern history and politics and Arabic at Harvard until 1961, when he became a membercs and Arabic at Harvard until 1961, when he became a membercs and Arabic at Harvard until 1961, when he became a member of the Policy Planning Council of the U.S. Department of St of the Policy Planning Council of the U.S. Department of St of the Policy Planning Council of the U.S. Department of State. In 1965, he became Professor of History at the Universiate

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