Publicação resultante de um seminário multi-disciplinar internacional, que teve lugar em Santa Margherita (Itália), em 1976.

List of figures. Preface. Acknowledgments. I - From theory to practice: a systems approach to the study of hostage-taking. 1 - A phenomenological analysis of hostage-taking. 2 - The problem of typology. 3 - The problem of perspective. II - From practice to theory: the prevention and control of hostage-taking. 4 - Before the act. 5 - Initial response. 6 - Negotiation. 7 - Outcome and follow-up. 8 - Analysis, conclusions, and summary. III - Theory and practice: specific perspectives on hostage-taking. 9 - The phenomenon of hostage-taking: the italian experience (Antonio Fariello). 10 - Organizational aspects of hostage-taking prevention and control in the Netherlands Willem Frackers). 11 - Problems, means, and methods of police action in the Federal Republic of Germany (Karlheinz Gemmer). 12 - Terrorist victimization: the interface between research and policy (Ronald D. Crelinsten). Appendix A - Possible typologies for hostage-taking based on the elements of a phenomenological analysis. Appendix B - Information required for INTERPOL hostage-taking form.