War and Anti-War: Making Sense of Today's Global Chaos [Mass Market Paperback]

Alvin Toffler (Author), Heidi Adelaide Toffler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1995

Beginning with a provocative analysis of warfare in the past, futurists Alvin and Heidi Toffler offer intriguing insight into today's military conflicts--and an eye-opening portrait of the battles of the future. By describing the horrifying realities of future war, the authors offer innovative strategies for implementing future peace.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 370 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446602590
• ISBN-13: 978-0446602594
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, September 29, 2001

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War and Anti-War: Making Sense of Today's Global Chaos (Mass Market Paperback)

Published in 1993, the authors published this look into the future of warfare. Building on the paradigm introduced in their earlier books (Future Shock, The Third Wave, and Powershift), the authors argue that as the new "Third Wave" transforms society, so will it transform warfare. Throughout, the authors attempt to show how war has been transformed, and how it will continue to transform in the decades ahead.

I picked up this book in reaction to the recent attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. I was hoping that it would give me a better insight into modern military, and what modern warfare would be like. I think that the authors did a great job of showing just how different any present and future wars are likely to be.

My one complaint is that the authors focused almost exclusively on the militaries of the advanced societies. If you want to see how the "new" terrorists are also "Third Wave" organizations, I highly recommend Countering the New Terrorism, by Ian O. Lesser, et al.

That said, this is a fascinating book, with a thought-provoking message. I highly recommend you read it.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In Retrospect, May 12, 2002

By 

Ron Dwyer (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War and Anti-War: Making Sense of Today's Global Chaos (Mass Market Paperback)

I have a certain measure of skepticism concerning the genre that has been called "futurist" or "future studies" because, as is well known, many of the predictions of futurists have been dead wrong.
But some futurists are better than others; and it is emminetly rational to try to understand where we are headed and plan for it.
The sub-title of this book is : Survival At The Dawn of the 21st Century. Considering that the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 has launched, in a certain sense, the 21st Century, it seems to be an appropriate time to evalute a book by a prominent futurist, written in the early 90s, on war and peace in the 21st Century.
This book is rooted in the Tofflerian concepts of the "First Wave," "Second Wave," and the "Third Wave." The First Wave Civilzation is agrarian. The Second Wave Civilization is industrial; the Third Wave civilization in informational. War and peace should be understood in the context of the Third Wave.
Predictions: Nation-states will no longer have the sole monopoly on force. New, sophisticated techonolgy will be used. The threat of bio-terrorism. Information will be very important, both in war, and in preventing war. The use of psychological methods in war. Countries should, and will, share knowledge and expertise.
Reality: In Afghanistan, the United States attacked Taliban and Al-Qaida bases (Al-Qaida, an international terrorist organization). Satellites and precision bombing were used. There is a fear of a biological counter attack in the United States. There is now an effort to strenghthen our security and intelligence agencies in order to prevent further attack. In the war in Afghanistan, not only bombs were dropped, but also food for the civilians and propaganda pamphelts. In the war on terrorism, the US is assisting the former Soviet Republic of Georgia with weapons and advice.
There are some things that turned out differently. For example, some Second and even First Wave methods of war were used. The calvary, 19th century war institution, used in the 21st Century! Another point is the increasing role of civilians in war. True, civilians have not always been passive. In World War II, a national magazine encouraged its readers to come up with ideas on how to win World War II. But it seems that civilians will have an increasing more important role in the waging of war and the preservation of peace. Heroic civilians in one of the hi-jacked planes fought back and may have well saved Congress or the the White House from being attacked. People increased their security , after the attack, by using the newer communication technologies like cell phones and the Internet.
As to the second half of the book's title "Anti-War", the predictions are not as adequate--though we should not be too hard on Toffler on this point--the prevention of war is not an easy thing. One of Toffler's suggestions is basically of an international organization like the UN having teeth, that is, armed force. But the only way that will happen is if some world government would have a armed force that is greater than the force of all the major powers combined. Basically what best insures peace is the toppling of tyrants.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tofflers Help Us To Think More Clearly About War and Peace, October 9, 2000

By 

David Thomson "Second Rate Eric Hoffer Imitator" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War and Anti-War: Making Sense of Today's Global Chaos (Mass Market Paperback)

One does not need to adhere to the theological claims of Judeo-Christianity to concede that wars, and the rumors of wars, will likely persist until the end of time. The at least metaphorical reality of Original Sin is alive and well on planet earth. Alvin and Heidi Toffler have much to offer. They, however, seem uncomfortable discussing the innate tendency of human beings to commit evil acts. An earlier reviewer referred to the subtle quasi Marxism materialism that seems to pervade their writings. I think this criticism of the Tofflers is fair. I strongly believe, for instance, that the wars of the 21st Century will rarely be about hunger and dire poverty. Unfortunately, technological advancements and the increasing affluence of many parts of the world are not solely sufficient in addressing the existential angst of the human condition. The male gender in particular appears to gravitate towards life threatening situations. The themes of purification through violence resonate deep within the breasts of men. There is something to be said concerning the Chinese curse: "May you live in exciting times." I interpret the "End of History" thesis as the contention that we could be entering into a more harmonious and safer era. Will this milieu, though, be found too bland and boring for the male of our species? The reader may find of further interest my Amazon community review of the movie "Fight Club" wherein I delve a bit further into this disquieting topic.

"War and Anti-War" was originally written in 1993. The Tofflers book has endured the test of time. The Tofflers correctly predicted the ability of today's Third Wave satellite technology to monitor questionable activities throughout the world. Privacy issues will be debated about the Big Brother implications of this quickly evolving technology. Nevertheless, the ease and relative low cost of spy satellites might make it virtually impossible for either ideological terrorists or criminals to develop and mange groups of like-minded individuals. The Internet has also evolved to the point where many of us interact with other people throughout the world as just another ho hum, everyday event. It's hard to imagine people who communicate on such a regular basis ever going to war against each other. Religious zealots, racists, and nationalist extremists, on the other hand, feel increasingly marginalized and overwhelmed by our modern age. Any group of males perceiving themselves as psychological, if not spiritually impotent, are always a bona fide threat. Amazon community reviewer, Robert D. Steele, is also cited by the Tofflers for taking to task our intelligence agencies exaggerated desire for secrecy. Steele aptly argues that "the hidden costs of secrecy are so immense they often outweigh the benefits by a large margin." This book is of great value for getting one to think more deeply about how to bring about world peace. The Tofflers don't claim to have all the answers. That is why they encourage the reader to join the dialogue. "War and Anti-War" is a good start for those ready to take a plunge to more profoundly understanding these literal issues of life and death.