Martyrdom: The Psychology, Theology, and Politics of Self-Sacrifice

Martyrdom is a controversial and disputed concept. Just as religion is often hijacked by politics, martyrdom is frequently ascribed to a narrow, partisan, and parochial foundation. This is the first book to present varied views on the topic of martyrdom, reaching beyond cliches and simplistic explanations to provoke deep consideration of the essential nature of human beings and society. The volume's authors--experts in the disciplines of psychology, theology, and politics--examine martyrdom in thoughtful and thought-provoking chapters.

Rona Fields is Senior Research Professor at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies at George Washington University. The author of seven books and more than 200 journal and popular media articles, she has been a researcher for 40 years. Fields has examined domestic militias as well as paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Southeast Asia and South Africa.