Jonathan Fine's timely study is the first comparison of holy wars in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. His work is essential to understand and counters the misinterpretation of religious sources and ideas to serve political agendas. -- Rohan Gunaratna, professor of security studies and head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Dr. Jonathan Fine provides a crucial overview of political violence in a comparative way. Using the tools of a historian and a political scientist, Dr. Fine analyzes the phenomenon of terrorism in various context and the origins of 'holy' violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. A very timely and important book. -- Boaz Ganor, co-founder and executive director, The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Herzliyya, Israel A brilliant analysis with original ideas that will be of great interest. A work that challenges conventions and commonplaces. A masterpiece. -- Jose J. Sanmartin, University of Alicante, Spain Political Violence in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is a major contribution to our understanding of the relationship between the three major monotheistic religions and violent conflict. Exhibiting a deep knowledge of the subject matter as evidenced in extensive use of primary sources, and combining historical analysis with an interdisciplinary perspective, Jonathan Fine's comprehensive, informative, and balanced study will appeal to casual readers and specialists alike. -- Assaf Moghadam, author of The Globalization of Martyrdom: Al Qaeda, Salafi Jihad, and the Diffusion of Suicide Attacks The strengths of Fine's monumental and ambitious study are its innovative methodological approaches and its impressive first-hand and secondary sources. It deals symmetrically and fairly with the three religions; and its comparative inter-disciplinary nature adds to its analytical value. It is therefore a welcome addition to the existing literature. -- Rami Ginat, Department of Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Jonathan Fine has composed a comprehensive effort, in both breadth and depth, to bridge the textual and ideological foundations of Western religions with the modern religiously-motivated terrorism that emerged from those traditions. His erudite analysis crosses academic fields and draws together disparate theoretical lenses to form an ambitious survey of one of the most pressing challenges of our time. -- Ron E. Hassner, U.C. Berkeley