War has been a perennial feature of human history since ancient times, yet it remains a poorly understood phenomenon. It has done much to shape our world, from overthrowing leaders, establishing international governance, and inspiring social change, to destroying cities, dividing nations and breeding animosity.
In this book, Dr Aaron Edwards succinctly combines political theories with historical realities. Using eyewitness accounts, war poetry and insightful analysis of a wide range of conflicts, War: A Beginner's Guide introduces the reader to the complexity and human face of war and invites readers to question whether violence is the most effective way to resolve disputes.
Industry Reviews
"As our societies become further disengaged from the military services that protect them, and our educational systems lose sight of the enduring value of history to educate our citizenry, we have lost touch with the human tragedy of war. This is a pity but War: A Beginner's Guide offers a timely remedy. Dr Edwards captures the essence of the political, social and technological realities of war over the ages in about as concise and clear a presentation I have ever seen. Readers looking for a well-crafted and superbly researched publication to reconnect with the deadly essence of human security, will find this book to be an invaluable resource."
