How to Look Good in a War: Justifying and Challenging State Violence

Brian Rappert

ISBN 10: 0745331807 / ISBN 13: 9780745331805

Published by Pluto Press, 2012

About this Item

Examines the methods used to depict, defend and justify the use of state violence in recent wars, from Iraq to Libya. Num Pages: 184 pages, black & white tables. BIC Classification: JPVN; JW. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 215 x 135 x 18. Weight in Grams: 386. . 2012. Hardcover. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780745331805

Bibliographic Details

• Title: How to Look Good in a War: Justifying and Challenging State Violence
• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745331807
• ISBN 13: 9780745331805
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

How to Look Good in A War examines the methods used to depict, defend and justify the use of state violence. Many books have shown how 'truth is the first casualty of war' but this is the first to analyse exactly how pro-war narratives are constructed and normalised.

Brian Rappert details the 'upside-down' world of war in which revelation conceals, knowledge fosters uncertainty, and transparency obscures. He looks at government spin during recent wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya where officials manoeuvre between circulating and withholding information.

Examining how organised violence is justified, How to Look Good in A War draws on experiences from recent controversy to consider how ignorance about the operation of war is produced and how concerned individuals and groups can intervene to make a difference.

About the Author

Brian Rappert is Professor of Science, Technology and Public Affairs in the Department of Sociology and Philosophy at the University of Exeter.