The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s

Jason Burke's The Revolutionists is an encompassing look at Middle Eastern and European terrorism from the 1960s to the 1980s, offering an excellent history of the period and eerily reflecting the current political climate.

Burke educates the reader about the major groups and actors of the times. We're introduced to Carlos the Jackal, Ulrike Meinhof, Fusako Shigenbou, Wilfried Böse, and others. The groups, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Black September, and the Red Army Faction, are detailed.

The author aims to have us understand the worldview of these individuals and groups and why they chose violence to advance their agendas. Each section of the book takes us into the minds and lives of the actors and paints their tactics of bombings, hijackings, kidnappings, and other attacks with a style that is part spy thriller and part history book.

Burke doesn't necessarily offer judgment of the actors and their actions, but he stresses that ignoring their motivations is unwise and dangerous. He lets the facts speak for the successes and failures of these radical individuals. Many of the attackers ended up dead or imprisoned, and their missions were often failures. Still, Burke notes, their acts have shaped the world we live in today. One only has to think of improved safety protocols at airports and public spaces to realize the impact.

The book does require commitment to read. There are so many individuals, locations, and groups that it takes effort to keep them straight. However, the deeper one delves into the book, the easier it becomes to follow Burke's style, as well as the scope and detail of these revolutionists and their activities.

One has to appreciate the research and scholarship Burke brings to this project. His in-depth exploration of 1960s–1980s extremism enhances our understanding of the past and encourages us to consider how these worldviews and actions shape the challenges we face today.

I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley.com.