Law and War [Paperback]

Peter Maguire (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231120516 | ISBN-13: 978-0231120517 | Publication Date: March 15, 2002

When does the waging of war become a criminal act? And who is in a position to judge? Ranging from the American Indian wars to the Civil War to World War I, and culminating with the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials following the Second World War, Peter Maguire provides much-needed historical perspective on the crucial and ever more urgent issues of war and justice. His examples illustrate the gradations of political justice and the perpetual redefinition of war crimes across three continents and more than a century of American foreign policy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[An] intriguing historical analysis.

(Harvard Law Review )

A 'must read' book for all those interested in international criminal law, war crimes, and war crime trials.

(Choice )

Outstanding... impressive... this is a terrific book.

(Michael R. Belknap, University of California, San Diego American Historical Review )

Perceptive.

(Peter Black, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Journal of American History )

Review

An important and fascinating study, marked by impressive research and moral passion, of war atrocities and legal guilt -- from Wounded Knee to Nuremberg

(Ronald Steel, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231120516
• ISBN-13: 978-0231120517
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,645,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid History of A Tarnished Topic, July 6, 2001

By 

Gary Solis (Alexandria, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Law and War (Hardcover)

Peter Maguire has written an outstanding history of America's involvement with the law of war through the 1960s. As the U.S. Military Academy's former law of war course director, I have read many books adddressing similar territory. This is the best I know of -- well-written, with an intelligent viewpoint and an informed basis for commentary. Maguire begins in the nation's indian combats, covers the civil war, World War I, and concentrates on World War II, covering all with a succinct and inisightful commentary that illustrates America's not always sterling record. Virtually every paragraph contains some informative and fascinating element. His analysis is always well-done, always well-researched and, most significantly, always interesting. Anyone with an interest in World War II, or in the law, or simply in good books, will appreciate and enjoy this text.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good book and an excellent read for any student...., April 23, 2001

By 

J. Michael Showalter (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Law and War (Hardcover)

This is a good book that I stumbled upon in an unnamed university bookstore in the not-to-recent past. In it the author explores the ways in which law-- most specifically legal proceedings-- have come to play in regard to war. Specifically, he addresses how legal proceedings have come to play in war: from U.S. trials regarding soldier's conduct against native Americans up through the twentieth century. His conclusions are relatively cynical: when it comes to practice, courts are often more-than-less objects of show as opposed to instruments of justice.

This is a very good, well written read by a person who has spent a good deal of time getting acquainted with his subject matter such that he can present it clearly and capably. This book is a must-read for any student of ethics of international politics or international law focusing on war....

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It Speaks of/to the War Architects of Today, November 3, 2010

By 

M. E. Dungo "genloulou" (Cambodia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Law and War (Paperback)

Peter Macguire has written and excellent book that gets right into the inside of the attitudes and policies of the war-making super power. Although he wrote this before the US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, its creepy to note that Machiavellian monsters are still busy planning wars as if the last hundred years and live news coverage didn't exist.

It notes the American attitude to war, victory and body count policies from late 1800s to Nuremberg. From Jingoists to Capitalist-Imperialists- there are exceptions of race and empathiable humanity when killing in large numbers. The top brass are usually malignant narcissists with little empathy for human lives anyway and the officer class usually suffer the remorse of the battle field. I mean- really- this stuff should be required foreign policy reading.

After reading this, I immediately followed up with other Nuremberg books just for extension. The Balengiga Massacre is particularly important to me because it was in my ancestral home province. Nice to know I have bad-ass ancestors even if they were massacred down to the toddlers.

Very well researched. Great reference.