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Boko Haram

The History of an African Jihadist Movement
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( 91 ratings, 9 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Boko Haram by Alexander Thurston delves into the origins and evolution of the extremist group Boko Haram. It explores the socio-political dynamics of Nigeria and the broader West African region, examining how this group emerged and the factors contributing to its growth. The book provides an in-depth analysis of the insurgency's impact on communities and policy responses.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in a detailed analysis of the dynamics and origins of extremist groups in Africa, focusing on social, political, and historical contexts. Through rigorous research, the author provides insights into the complex factors that have fuelled insurgency, making it a compelling read for those fascinated by international politics and current affairs.

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A comprehensive history of one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups Boko Haram is one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. It has killed more than twenty thousand people and displaced more than two million in a campaign of terror that began in Nigeria but has since spread to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon as well. This is the first book to tel

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Boko Haram offers a comprehensive history of one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. Boko Haram has killed more than twenty thousand people and displaced more than two million in a campaign of terror that began in Nigeria and has since spread to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.

This is the first book to tell the full story of this West African affiliate of the Islamic State, from its beginnings in the early 2000s to its most infamous violence, including the 2014 kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls. Drawing on sources in Arabic and Hausa, rare documents, propaganda videos, press reports, and interviews with experts in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger, Alexander Thurston sheds new light on Boko Haram's development.

He shows that the group, far from being a simple or static terrorist organisation, has evolved in its worldview and ideology in reaction to events. Chief among these has been Boko Haram's escalating war with the Nigerian state and civilian vigilantes. The book closely examines both the behaviour and beliefs that are the keys to understanding Boko Haram.

Putting the group's violence in the context of the complex religious and political environment of Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, the book examines how Boko Haram relates to states, politicians, Salafis, Sufis, Muslim civilians, and Christians. It also probes Boko Haram's international connections, including its loose former ties to al-Qaida and its 2015 pledge of allegiance to ISIS.

An in-depth account of a group that is menacing Africa's most populous and richest country, Boko Haram also illuminates the dynamics of civil war in Africa and jihadist movements in other parts of the world.

Series: Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics

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  • Boko Haram
    Boko Haram offers a comprehensive history of one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. Boko Haram has killed more than twenty thousand people and displaced more than two million in a campaign of terror that began in Nigeria and has since spread to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. This is the first book to tell the full story of this West...
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  • Boko Haram
    A comprehensive history of one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups, Boko Haram is one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. It has killed more than twenty thousand people and displaced more than two million in a campaign of terror that began in Nigeria but has since spread to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. This is the first book to tell...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Alexander Thurston's Boko Haram is acclaimed for its lucid and authoritative exploration of the group, offering a timely and informative perspective. It challenges prevailing narratives by highlighting the importance of religion and localized politics alongside economic factors. The book is recognized for its scholarly depth and is considered essential reading for anyone interested in understanding Boko Haram's origins and its place within Nigerian political history.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691172248

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 14 November 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 3 Maps

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 595g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Alexander Thurston is visiting assistant professor of political science and comparative religion at Miami University, and the author of Salafism in Nigeria: Islam, Preaching, and Politics.

Also by Alexander Thurston

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  • Boko Haram
    A comprehensive history of one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups, Boko Haram is one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. It has killed more than twenty thousand people and displaced more than two million in a campaign of terror that began in Nigeria but has since spread to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. This is the first book to tell...
    Paperback
    $5499
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    Ships in 4-6 weeks

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