Product Details

• Region: All Regions
• Studio: Charlie Rose
• DVD Release Date: October 5, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000JCF4GY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #224,922 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Author Donald Kagan talks about his new book The Origins of War, how political situations blow up into armed conflict, and how war-related decisions are made by leaders. Then, actor Alec Baldwin discusses his political views, particularly his concern for rain forest preservation, animal rights, and adequate arts funding. Finally, Twyla Tharp on her new dance piece Red, White and Blues New Works, her long and noteworthy career, and her unique approach to choreography.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Donald Kagan segment on 'The Origins of War', June 10, 2008

By	Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Yale Scholar Donald Kagan talks to Charlie Rose about a book he has written on the origins of war. He said that in teaching a course on this subject for many years at Yale he was often urged by his students to put his thoughts into book- form.
Kagan begins by saying that there is a fundamental misunderstanding in regard to the human condition. He says most people regard War as an aberration and Peace as the norm. But he says that there have been only something like two- hundred and forty years in Western History, without War. War is the norm.
Kagan speaks of goals of Dignity Pride and above all Power as central in the causality of War. He does not discount the territorial factor but it seems somehow secondary. He speaks about 'Power' as being the ability to do what one wants, and preventing the other from doing what they want against you.
Charlie Rose reads him a list and he gives causes for the War. He makes it clear that War is a form of activity which no one can control or dictate certainly the conclusion of. His sense is that Mankind necessarily lives in the uncertainty caused by War. His first example if the Pelopennesian War which those at the time would have certainly made Athens the favorite to win. It proved to be disastrous for Athens. He however presents a position in where he seems to often see War as unavoidable necessity, as right and wise policy action. Certainly the Second World War fits that category.
Kagan is reasonable, mild- mannered and persusaive guest. No fireworks, no great excitement, no strong disagreements between himself and the as-usual- competent- and - informed Charlie Rose.