Because terrorists use their writings and verbal pronouncements not only to persuade others (propaganda aspect), but also to persuade themselves (auto-propaganda aspect), terrorist literature can provide valuable insights into the workings and mindset of terrorist groups. Individual terrorists are often idiosyncratic, however, and to obtain an accurate picture of a terrorist group from its writings, it is necessary to limit an examination to terrorists from a particular geographical area and with similar ideologies. In analyzing the writings of the European 'anarchic-ideologues,' the author finds five basic characteristics in the group. First, the groups share a common use of terrorist violence. Second, the groups all deny that they are terrorists. Third, all groups demonstrate a need to show themselves in a favorable light in order to attract support. Fourth, all groups show a need to rationalize and justify what they do. Fifth, the groups share a common need to feel good about themselves to maintain group cohesion. The author observes that a life of violence tends to harden and demoralize. Additionally, the reality described by terrorists appears bizarre to others, and the terrorists must continue to convince themselves and others that their distortions mirror a real world. 71 footnotes.