In defining Action Directe's mixture of millenarianism, workerism and nihilism, this study explains why the group turned to a strategy of murderous strikes and how a revolutionary political faction emerged in a stable western society.
'Dr Michael Dartnell has written an excellent ideological and operational profile of the French terrorist group Action Directe. To my knowledge it is the only book written in English on this group.' - Dennis Pluchinsky, US Department of State, Terrorism & Military Intelligence'It is increasingly rare to find a book which goes further than its title suggests ... it is a wide-ranging analysis of the history and political culture from which terrorism can emerge in a stable Western democracy.' - Intelligence and National Security'This is another in half a dozen excellent studies of terrorism published by Cass.' - Terrorism'Michael Dartnell's book represents an important addition to the existing literature on the nature of terrorism in France in general and on Action Directe in particular... in short, a valuable reference book for students of terrorism and/or French politics and culture.' - Modern & Contemporary FranceTerrorism and Political Violence- Dennis Pluchinsky, Office of Intelligence and Threat Analysis, US Dept of State- "Dr Michael Datrnell has written an excellent ideological and operational profile of the French terrorist group Action Directe...it is the only book written in English on this group...it will become a single source, English-language reference on AD"
