This modern classic by international journalist and military historian Gwynne Dyer is widely acknowledged as one of the most compelling analyses of armed conflict throughout the ages. Dyer traces the growth of organised warfare from the earliest days of humankind, arguing – with neither despair nor false optimism – that war as an act of mass violence has remained unchanged. The only real change has been technological. He suggests that the international system, whereby each polity is responsible for its own defence, encourages war to settle disputes about status and influence. Why is this? Why do men and women fight wars? Is it even possible to tame the impulse? Is this "lethal custom" innate, or culturally determined? How might we change? War is essential reading on the way to resolving these eternal questions.
WAR
- 4 books
Gwynne Dyer
Gwynne Dyer has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, author, broadcaster, and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. Dyer has served in the Canadian, British and American navies. He holds a Ph.D. in war studies from the University of London, has taught at Sandhurst and served on the Board of Governors of Canada's Royal Military College. His twice-weekly column on international affairs is published by 175 newspapers in some 45 countries and is translated into more than a dozen languages. He is the author of several books, including War, Future: Tense, and The Mess They Made. One of the world's great geopolitical analysts, Gwynne Dyer has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, author, broadcaster, and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. Dyer has served in the Canadian, British and American navies. His twice-weekly column on international affairs is published by 175 newspapers in some 45 countries. He is the author of several books, including War, Future: Tense, and The Mess They Made. One of the world's great geopolitical analysts, Gwynne Dyer has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, author, broadcaster, and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. His column is published by 175 newspapers around the world and is translated into more than a dozen languages. He is the author of several books, including War, Future: Tense and The Mess They Made.
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