Modern War: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) - Softcover

English, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199607893 ISBN 13: 9780199607891

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2013

Synopsis

Warfare is the most dangerous threat faced by modern humanity. It is also one of the key influences that has shaped the politics, economics, and society of modern times. But what do we mean by modern war? What causes modern wars to begin? Why do people fight in them, why do they end, and what have they achieved?

In this accessible and compelling Very Short Introduction, Richard English explores the assumptions we make about modern warfare and considers them against the backdrop of their historical reality.

Drawing on the wide literature available, including direct accounts of the experience of war, English provides an authoritative account of modern war: its origins, evolution, dynamics, and current trends.

About the Series:
Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.

About this title

About the Author

Richard English, Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Politics, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, University of St Andrews

Richard English is Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, and Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Politics in the School of International Relations, at the University of St Andrews. His books have won numerous Awards and include Armed Struggle: The History of the IRA (2003), Irish Freedom: The History of Nationalism in Ireland (2006), and Terrorism: How to Respond (2009). He has written and lectured widely on political violence, terrorism, nationalism, and religion, and on Irish and British politics and history. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, a Member of Royal Irish Academy, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Review

Profound thought and a compelling text explain why and how states, societies and peoples resort to "the awfulness of war". English avoids glib generalisations because he knows too much and thinks too deeply. ... Anyone who wants to understand wars and their legacies should read it, twice. * Times Higher Education * English has developed a cogent and useful introduction to modern war. An understanding of war is a key element of civic education, and English has made the subject accessible. Modern War will be of particular value not just to students but to educators considering how to teach the topics of war and modern military history. * H.R. McMaster, Survival * The book as a whole is notable for the careful thought and sound judgement that are on display, with the result that it does not at all feel like a superficial skim over the material. * Tim Benbow, Kings College London/UK Defence Academy, Political Studies Review * ... what this book achieves would be remarkable in one several times its length... The book as a whole is notable for the careful throught and sound judgement that are on display, with the result that it does not at all feel like a superficial skim over the material. * Political Studies Review, Tim Benbow *

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0199607893
• ISBN 13: 9780199607891
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 160