The Lessons of History - Hardcover

Howard, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198215819 ISBN 13: 9780198215813

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1991

Synopsis

In this highly readable new book, one of the most eminent military historians in the world discusses the processes of historical change that ignited European wars of the twentieth century. Michael Howard ponders the continuing significance of nationalism, explores the conflicting ideologies that arose from industrialism, and argues that, despite the tendency of modern societies to dedicate themselves to material welfare rather than to heroic achievement, organized violence remains a norm.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of essays and lectures, dating from Howard's tenure of the Regius Chair of Modern History at Oxford between 1980 and '89, reflects his interest in the connection between nationalism and war. In "War and Social Change" he argues that national self-consciousness was the driving force of international conflict in the 19th and first half of the present century. "The Edwardian Arms Race" examines the pre-WW I naval rivalry between Britain and Germany. "Prussia in European History" makes the point that the Nazi creed drew on many sources not specifically Prussian. Nationalism, in Howard's view, is "by far the most effective instrument of social mobilization . . . and so a most effective tool of war." This and similar observations are typical of the blandly general quality of the pieces.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198215819
• ISBN 13: 9780198215813
• Binding: Hardcover