The Threat From Within

The book is not a tell-all. No secrets are revealed. Instead, Gurski draws on his more than three decades as a Canadian intelligence analyst to demystify the national security issue that is preoccupying governments everywhere. * The National Post *
This is an interesting conceptual and empirical examination of the pathways of radicalization into terrorism in Western countries, with a special focus on Al-Qaeda type groupings and the lone wolves they inspire, including those that operate in Canada. The author, a recently retired veteran analyst in Canadian intelligence, is well positioned to discuss these issues, including the application of practical methodologies to analyze them. . . .Although the book was written before the emergence to prominence of the Islamic State (IS/ISIL) as the most lethal expression of Al-Qaeda-type Jihadist terrorism facing Western countries, the author’s excellent analysis also can serve to understanding and countering it better. * Perspectives on Terrorism *
The Threat From Within could not be timelier as the threat of home-grown Islamic terrorists continues to grow. It gives unprecedented insight in the world of Islamic radicals. This book will also help peace-loving parents to detect the seeds of radicalism in their children before it is too late. The experts, policy-makers, and members of law enforcement will hugely benefit from it. This book is suited for a wide audience as it is written in a very enjoyable way. * The Washington BookReview *
Phil Gurski is a recognized authority on homegrown extremism in the West, merging a long experience as an intelligence officer on the front lines of Canada’s war against terrorism with a sophisticated scholarly approach. His book, rich in both detail and analysis, is an absolute must read for both experts in the subject and students alike. -- Lorenzo Vidino, Director, Program on Extremism, George Washington University
A timely look at the drivers of radicalization to violence that many scholars are trying to understand, this book benefits from the decades of experience Gurski has had as a Canadian intelligence official dealing, at a very granular level, with issues of national security and terrorism. We should listen to what he has to say. -- Amarnath Amarasingam, author of Pain, Pride, and Politics: Social Movement Activism and the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora in Canada