Caleb Carr on Terrorism
by John F. Baker -- Publishers Weekly, 9/24/2001
Caleb Carr, a respected military historian as well as a bestselling novelist (The Alienist and The Angel of Darkness) will be wearing the former hat for a book he is writing on the history of terrorism, bringing it right up to date with the attack on the U.S. on September 11. Random House president and publisher Ann Godoff signed The Conquest of Terror for publication as soon as December, buying North American rights from agent Suzanne Gluck at the William Morris agency. In his book, Carr will examine the history of terrorism as a tactic from ancient times, showing that, although it has often been enormously destructive, it has always ultimately failed in its purpose—to win by cowing noncombatants. Carr is a contributing editor to MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History as well as a writer on military affairs for several newspapers and magazines. He is also the editor of the Modern Library's War series, and has co-written (with James Chace) America Invulnerable: The Quest for Absolute Security from 1812 to Star Wars.
