War

How Conflict Shaped Us

Professor Margaret MacMillan

$39.99 $20

Hardback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

English

Profile
14 January 2020

History; Military history; Warfare & defence; Bargains

The time since the Second World War has been seen by some as the longest uninterrupted period of harmony in human history: the 'long peace', as Stephen Pinker called it. But despite this, there has been a military conflict ongoing every year since 1945. The same can be said for every century of recorded history. Is war, therefore, an essential part of being human?

In War, Professor Margaret MacMillan explores the deep links between society and war and the questions they raise. We learn when war began - whether among early homo sapiens or later, as we began to organise ourselves into tribes and settle in communities. We see the ways in which war reflects changing societies and how war has brought change - for better and worse.

Economies, science, technology, medicine, culture: all are instrumental in war and have been shaped by it - without conflict it we might not have had penicillin, female emancipation, radar or rockets. Throughout history, writers, artists, film-makers, playwrights, and composers have been inspired by war - whether to condemn, exalt or simply puzzle about it. If we are never to be rid of war, how should we think about it and what does that mean for peace?

By: Professor Margaret MacMillan
Imprint: Profile
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: Main
Dimensions: Height: 232mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 36mm
Weight: 670g
ISBN: 9781788162562
ISBN 10: 1788162560
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 14 January 2020
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Margaret MacMillan is Emeritus Professor of International History, University of Oxford and Professor of History, University of Toronto. She is the author of Women and the Raj and the international bestsellers Nixon in China and Peacemakers, which won the 2002 Samuel Johnson Prize, and The War that Ended Peace, The Uses and Abuses of History and History's People, all published by Profile.

Reviews for War: How Conflict Shaped Us

Praise for The War that Ended Peace: This is one of the finest books I have read on the causes of World War I. -- Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State Enjoyable and illuminating -- Antony Beevor * The Times * Splendidly well written - fluent, engaging, well-paced and, despite the grim subject, often entertaining -- Richard Overy * New Statesman * With its lovely elegant style, keen eye for human foibles and impeccable attention to detail, this is one of the most enjoyably readable books of the year -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times * Magnificent. * Economist *