Boko Haram

April 15, 2015

In his first book, journalist Smith (Agence France-Presse) draws on his years of reporting from Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa as well as on books, journal articles, and interviews with Nigerian police, military officials, politicians, and survivors of Boko Haram attacks. He uses all these sources to try to make sense of the origin, development, and endurance of the jihadi insurgency now threatening the Nigerian state and the stability of neighboring countries. Much of the historical background and political analysis tying the rise of Boko Haram to the dysfunctional region have been covered in other recent volumes (e.g., Josh Arinze's Poverty Is No Excuse for Terrorism and Samuel T. Whitlock's Boko Haram), but Smith's descriptions of attacks and their aftermath bring human interest to the politics. Any work on the subject is instantly out of date, however, since Boko Haram changes almost daily--its spokesman recently declared he is considering pledging allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and the group's attacks are spreading to Niger and causing a massive refugee problem in that country. VERDICT This title will be of interest to readers concerned about the future peace and stability of West Africa.--Joel Neuberg, Santa Rosa Junior Coll. Lib., CA

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