War Dead: Western Societies and the Casualties of War [Paperback]

Luc Capdevila (Author), Daniele Voldman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0748622985 | ISBN-13: 978-0748622986 | Publication Date: January 23, 2007

How do societies handle their war dead, and what is their attitude to the bodies of their enemies? In the 19th century, battlefield casualties were pushed into mass graves, their identities remaining unknown. Today, the war dead are held in much higher regard, their identities crucial. A historical study of the way in which war and death intersect, War Dead describes the complex attitude societies have taken towards death. Seduced by the concept of eternal youth, tempted to fight death as well as physical decay, and faced with longer life expectancy, we indulge in the hope of war without loss of life, but doesn't our expectation of "zero death" mean more deaths for the enemy?

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a profoundly useful interdisciplinary study. -- Ana Carden-Coyne The International History Review The book would make a good general survey for undergraduate use in classes on war and society, or Western cultural history. -- Mark Hatlie,University of Maryland University College on H-War H-Net It is thoroughly researched and, for this reason, is a valuable compendium of societal reaction to mass death in war during the twentieth century. -- Thomas M. Hawley, Eastern Washington University American Historical Review This is a profoundly useful interdisciplinary study. The book would make a good general survey for undergraduate use in classes on war and society, or Western cultural history. It is thoroughly researched and, for this reason, is a valuable compendium of societal reaction to mass death in war during the twentieth century.

About the Author

Luc Capdevila is lecturer in contemporary history, University of Rennes.

Daniéle Voldman is director of research, Institut d'histoire du temps présent.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press (January 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0748622985
• ISBN-13: 978-0748622986
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,893,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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