The international war on terror has been the focus of news reports for decades, but the information presented by the media can be confusing to people with little background on the subject. Readers explore the history of modern terrorism, various definitions of what constitutes terrorism, and key acts of political violence by both foreign and domestic terrorists. Detailed charts, quotes from experts in the study of terrorism, and in-depth sidebars help readers understand this complex issue and form their own opinions of how it can best be addressed, which they can share by answering thought-provoking discussion questions on this topic.