War: An Enquiry

Local Description

Review: "Exceptionally incisive on war and peace . . . As a former professional soldier, and no stranger to conflict, I regret not having had access to [War] when it mattered."--Milos Stankovic, Spectator

"A brisk and sweeping survey."--Mark Mazower, Financial Times

'War: An Enquiry is wide-ranging, accessible, and crammed with insights. Though it does not underestimate the obstacles to peace, it is never cheaply cynical. The result is somber, yet also inspiring.'--Russell Blackford, author of The Mystery of Moral Authority

'In arguing that 'war is a cultural and not a genetic phenomenon', Grayling offers not only an encyclopaedic examination of war from ancient times until now, but hope that humanity might outgrow it as it has other barbaric traits. A hugely challenging and readable book in which Grayling not only challenges our assumptions about the inevitability of war as part of the human condition, but also offers grounds for hope that we might yet evolve beyond it - provided we do not exterminate ourselves first.'--John Charmley, author of Splendid Isolation?: Britain, the Balance of Power and the Origins of the First World War

'A.C. Grayling is well known for his writings on the ethics of war, and here provides a highly original philosophical analysis of organized violence. Ranging from history, biology, psychology, and international relations to law and morality, he constantly provokes us to think about profound problems in new ways.'--Ian Morris, author of War: What is it good for?

Description

In this deeply considered book, renowned philosopher A. C. Grayling ranges across the tragic history of war. He considers much-debated theories on the causes of water, how warfare has changed in response to technological advances, positive changes that may arise from it, and more recent issues such as religious violence, collateral damage and war crimes. Grayling shows how a more accurate understanding of war might enable us to mitigate its horrors and lessen the burden of its consequence. Book jacket.

Author description

A. C. Grayling is master, New College of the Humanities, and supernumerary fellow, St. Anne's College, Oxford. He is active in the field of human rights and conflict intervention and has written or edited more than thirty books. He lives in London.