Atkins's Literary Contributions to Security and Extremism
Throughout his career, Atkins established himself as a prolific author, producing 10 books that primarily served as essential reference works. His writing spanned a diverse array of critical subjects, ranging from the technicalities of academic libraries to the complex dynamics of global terrorism and political extremism.
Key Facts
- Authored 10 books, primarily focused on reference materials.
- Specialized in political extremism, terrorism, and international security.
- Received the 2000 Booklist Editor's Choice Award for the Historical Encyclopedia of Atomic Energy.
- Published works through major academic publishers including ABC-CLIO and Praeger.
- His final lifetime publication was a memoir regarding the Vietnam War.
Early Works and Academic Foundations
Atkins began his publishing journey in 1989 with a bibliography—a systematic list of books and sources—titled Arms Control and Disarmament, Defense and Military, International Security, and Peace: An Annotated Guide to Sources, 1980-1987, published by ABC-CLIO. He further expanded his academic reach with The Academic Library in the American University, which examined the role and function of libraries within higher education.
In 2000, he shifted toward scientific history with the Historical Encyclopedia of Atomic Energy. This work earned significant critical acclaim, receiving the 2000 Booklist Editor's Choice Award.
Expertise in Terrorism and Political Extremism
A significant portion of Atkins's bibliography is dedicated to the study of political extremism and terrorism. In 1992, he published Terrorism: A Reference Handbook via ABC-CLIO. This established a foundation for subsequent, more specialized encyclopedias.
In 2002, he released the Encyclopedia of Modern American Extremists and Extremist Groups, followed shortly by the Encyclopedia of Modern Worldwide Extremists and Extremist Groups in 2004. These works provided comprehensive overviews of radical movements both domestically and globally.
The 9/11 Legacy and Holocaust Denial
In 2008, Praeger Security International published The 9/11 Encyclopedia. Due to the ongoing relevance of the subject, the work saw two posthumous updates: a second edition in 2011 revised by Spencer C. Tucker, and a third edition in 2021 titled 9/11: The Essential Reference Guide.
Atkins also addressed the phenomenon of Holocaust denial—the act of denying the genocide of Jews during World War II—in his 2009 book, Holocaust Denial as an International Movement, published by Praeger.
Final Works and Posthumous Publications
The final book published during Atkins's lifetime was Writing the War, a personal memoir detailing his experiences in Vietnam. This reflective piece was released just a few weeks before his death.
His final contribution to the field, the Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism in Modern American History, was published by ABC-CLIO in 2011. Completed by his wife and children, this volume differs from his previous encyclopedias by utilizing a structure of sections and chapters. It focuses primarily on the far-right movements after the 1930s, with the exception of the Ku Klux Klan, which is included despite its older origins.
| Year | Title | Primary Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Arms Control and Disarmament... Annotated Guide | International Security |
| 1992 | Terrorism: A Reference Handbook | Terrorism |
| 2000 | Historical Encyclopedia of Atomic Energy | Atomic Energy |
| 2002 | Encyclopedia of Modern American Extremists... | US Extremism |
| 2004 | Encyclopedia of Modern Worldwide Extremists... | Global Extremism |
| 2008 | The 9/11 Encyclopedia | September 11 Attacks |
| 2009 | Holocaust Denial as an International Movement | Holocaust Denial |
| 2011 | Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism... | Far-Right Movements |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books did Atkins author?
Atkins authored a total of 10 books, the majority of which were reference works.
Which of his books won an award?
The Historical Encyclopedia of Atomic Energy received the 2000 Booklist Editor's Choice Award.
What is unique about the Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism in Modern American History?
Unlike his other reference works, this book is organized into sections and chapters rather than an encyclopedic format. It also focuses on the post-1930s era, though it includes the older Ku Klux Klan.
Who completed his final posthumous work?
The Encyclopedia of Right-Wing Extremism in Modern American History was completed by Atkins's wife and children.
What was the last book published during his lifetime?
His last lifetime publication was Writing the War, a memoir about his experiences in Vietnam.