ABSTRACT
On september 11, 2001, I worried about the safety of my friends and colleagues in New York City. ESRI’s office in the Woolworth Building was a couple of blocks from the World Trade Center—what seemed like a good location, close to city government and business centers—suddenly became dangerously close to the epicenter of terror. Would they get out of there in time? How far would they have to walk to safety? Would there be another attack? Thankfully, no one was hurt. But the hours of waiting to account for them all stretched out like a surreal movie. As I reflect on that day and the days that followed, I am reminded that when people pass through horrors like this, their relationship to space and time changes. I am therefore particularly gratified to see that this book has outlined a strong research and policy agenda addressing the Geographical Dimensions of Terrorism. It examines fundamental questions that are critical to our exploration and understanding of this reign of terror and in overcoming its challenges.
