Perilous Glory
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The Rise of Western Military Power
John France
Out of Print
A major new history of war that challenges our understanding of military dominance and how it is achieved
This expansive book surveys the history of warfare from ancient Mesopotamia to the Gulf War in search of a deeper understanding of the origins of Western warfare and the reasons for its eminence today. Historian John France explores the experience of war around the globe, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. His bold conclusions cast doubt on well-entrenched attitudes about the development of military strength, the impact of culture on warfare, the future of Western dominance, and much more.
Taking into account wars waged by virtually all civilizations since the beginning of recorded history, France finds that despite enormous cultural differences, war was conducted in distinctly similar ways right up to the Military Revolution and the pursuit of technological warfare in the nineteenth century. Since then, European and American culture has shaped warfare, but only because we have achieved a sense of distance from it, France argues. He warns that the present eminence of U.S. power is much more precarious and accidental than commonly believed. The notion that war is a distant phenomenon is only an illusion, and our cultural attitudes must change accordingly.
“This is a powerful book, opinionated but crisply argued, and packed with information…..It’s hard to think of a more impressive single-volume history of the not-only Western way of war.”—Noel Malcolm, The Sunday Telegraph
“This book deserves attention.”—Jeremy Black, BBC History Magazine
“…a rich and thought-provoking read… this book demonstrates yet again the relevance of broad historical understanding for contemporary policy debates.”—Philip Sabin, Times Higher Education
“….an accessible and well-argued analysis of three millennia of military history.”—Hugo Berger, The National
“…an exciting and unique history.”—Contemporary Review
Publication Date: November 1, 2011
28 b/w illus.