This book investigates the historical trajectory of terrorism within Turkey and the country's long-standing, often isolated struggle against the PKK. Andrew Mango, a recognized expert on Turkish affairs, utilizes a chronological framework to analyze how Turkey's domestic security challenges were largely ignored by the international community for decades. He argues that the global shift in security priorities following the rise of international terrorism necessitates a re-evaluation of Turkey's experience as a frontline state in this conflict.

Experts and scholars of international relations frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the historical context of Turkish security policy. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous and authoritative account of a complex geopolitical issue.