Best Terrorism Books of 2025

The book "Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism" by Jeffrey Toobin is a compelling and authoritative history of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and its aftermath. Toobin puts the attack in the context of an extremist, anti-government movement that has persisted and grown in the decades since. He draws on a wealth of previously unreleased tapes, photographs, and documents, including detailed communications between McVeigh and his lawyers, to provide a detailed and nuanced account of this dark chapter in American history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots and legacy of right-wing extremism in the United States.

The Day the World Came to Town Updated Edition: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland is a heartwarming true story of how the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed and provided for 7,000 stranded passengers whose planes were forced to land due to the 9/11 attacks. The author, Jim DeFede, recounts this inspiring story of the residents of Gander, whose acts of kindness have touched the lives of thousands of people and been an example of humanity and goodwill. This book is a remarkable reminder of the power of kindness and the human spirit. It is a must-read for anyone who is looking for a heartwarming story that will leave them feeling inspired and uplifted.

Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe is a meticulously researched book that uses the abduction and murder of Jean McConville as a starting point to tell the history of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Through interviews with people on both sides of the conflict, Keefe presents a searing and utterly gripping saga of a society wracked by a violent guerrilla war. The book explores the devastating repercussions of the conflict and the brutal violence that left many questioning the justification of their actions. Say Nothing is a must-read for anyone interested in history, true crime, and the human cost of conflict.

The book “Industrial Society and Its Future: Unabomber Manifesto” is a radical political thought book written by Theodore John Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber. The book talks about the dangers of technological advancement and the negative effects it has on society. Kaczynski argues that society needs to return to a simpler way of life to avoid self-destruction. The book is independently published and provides an interesting perspective on the impact of technology on society.

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 is a gripping memoir by Marcus Luttrell, a Navy SEAL who survived a harrowing mission in Afghanistan. The book details the bravery and sacrifice of Luttrell's fellow SEALs, who fought fiercely alongside him until they were tragically killed in action. Luttrell's vivid account of the battle and his subsequent survival is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the true stories of American heroism in modern warfare.

Killing the Killers by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard is the eleventh book in the Killing series and an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. The book takes readers on a thrilling journey inside the global war on terror, which began more than twenty years ago on September 11, 2001. The authors narrate America's intense global war against extremists and individual targeting of the most notorious leaders of these groups. With fresh detail and deeply-sourced information, Killing the Killers is an unstoppable account of the most important war of our era. Overall, the book is a gripping read that offers a unique perspective on the global war on terror.

"Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America" by Will Sommer is a well-reported and essential book that explains the QAnon movement. The author delves into the movement's origins, beliefs, and goals, as well as the threat it poses to democracy. Sommer's journalistic exposé is a character study that takes readers on a journey to Q's followers' makeshift compounds and rallies around the world. The book also highlights the danger of mainstream politicians legitimizing the ideology to gain access to a large and growing cohort of voters. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the rise of QAnon and its impact on American society.

Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior is a gripping memoir by Enrique Prado, who retired from the Central Intelligence Agency as the CIA equivalent of a two-star general. The book offers a rare glimpse into the shadow wars that America has fought since the Vietnam Era. Prado's career spanned the Cold War and the Age of Terrorism, and he and his fellow CIA officers fought a little-seen and virtually unknown war to keep the USA safe from those who would do it harm. This harrowing memoir of life in the shadowy world of assassins, terrorists, spies, and revolutionaries is a testament to the courage, creativity, and dedication of the Agency’s Special Activities Group and its elite shadow warriors.

The "Guantánamo Diary: Restored Edition" is an exceptional memoir that tells the story of Mohamedou Slahi's life before and after he was imprisoned at the detainee camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Slahi has been detained without a charge since 2002, and his diary portrays the miscarriage of justice he has experienced. The diary is a deeply personal memoir that recounts his daily life as a detainee and is terrifying, darkly humorous, and surprisingly gracious. This book is an essential document of historical importance, and it sheds light on the injustices of the U.S. government. Overall, the book is a must-read for anyone interested in human rights and justice.

The Only Plane in the Sky is a comprehensive oral history of September 11, 2001, told through firsthand accounts of those who lived it. Garrett Graff weaves together never-before-published transcripts, declassified documents, original interviews, and oral histories from nearly five hundred government officials, first responders, witnesses, survivors, friends, and family members to create a vivid and human portrait of the attacks. This book is a priceless civic gift that offers a 360-degree account of the day, from the predawn hours of airports in the Northeast to the skies above Pennsylvania. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the full scope of the tragedy.