"Paul Middleton gives an introduction to a misunderstood and complicated cross-cultural phenomenon. He draws together a wealth of material and shows that the importance of martyr narratives for Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities is one of the things that binds, rather than divides, us."-Candida R. Moss, University of Notre Dame, USA<BR><BR>"In recent years scenes of religious martyrs sacrificing themselves and killing others have become a constant feature of news reporting across the globe. This study explores the nature of martyrdrom through the ages in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Throughout the author examines the ways that martyrs are created by the retelling of their stories."-Dan Cohn-Sherbok, University of Wales Trinity St David, UK