War in Human Civilization Illustrated Edition

by Azar Gat (Author)

42 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0199236633

ISBN-10: 0199236631

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Why do people go to war? Is it rooted in human nature or is it a late cultural invention? How does war relate to the other fundamental developments in the history of human civilization? And what of war today--is it a declining phenomenon or simply changing its shape?

In this sweeping study of war and civilization, Azar Gat sets out to find definitive answers to these questions in an attempt to unravel the riddle of war throughout human history, from the early hunter-gatherers right through to the unconventional terrorism of the twenty-first century. In the
process, the book generates an astonishing wealth of original and fascinating insights on all major aspects of humankind's remarkable journey through the ages, engaging a wide range of disciplines, from anthropology and evolutionary psychology to sociology and political science. Written with
remarkable verve and clarity and wholly free from jargon, it will be of interest to anyone who has ever pondered the puzzle of war.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"War in Human Civilization is indeed the ambitious, sweeping book that the author set out to write. Both its scope and scale are impressive as is the wide range of sources and disciplines whose theories and methods are brought to bear on the 'riddle' of war....The coverage and the deft weaving
together of so many central theories on human behavior make this a book worth examining."--Michael S. Neilberg, Journal of Social History

"A work of extraordinary scope and formidable erudition....Gat definitively unravels the riddle of civilization and war."--Professor Robert J. Lieber, Georgetown University

"Gat's book is a rich undertaking definitely well worth reading and pondering."--William R. Thompson, The International History Review

UNEDITED UK REVIEW: "An immensely ambitious work covering not only history but archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, demography and economics, to name but a few... its weight of learning is borne aloft by the author's enthusiasm for his subject and takes his readers with it. If only there were
more scholars like this!"--Michael Howard, TLS Books of the Year

UNEDITED UK REVIEW: "There's any amount of fascinating insight to be found in this big and enormously ambitious interdisciplinary study."--The Scotsman

UNEDITED UK REVIEW: "A book of extraordinary ambition, erudition and range... Every student of war will be obliged to engage with this remarkable piece of scholarship."--Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, King's College, London

UNEDITED UK REVIEW: "A towering and triumphant achievement... acute, scholarly, and wide-ranging: it is certainly one of the most important works on the subject written since 1945. Gat is at the top of his brilliant form, linking a variety of disciplines in a rich and comprehensive study of this
most pertinent of issues."--Professor Richard Holmes

"The scope and sweep of Gat's work is certainly unmatched in modern world history writings...Gat's work will be a springboard for debate, refutation, support and development for some time to come."--World History Bulletin

About the Author

Azar Gat is Ezer Weitzman Professor of National Security in the Department of Political Science at Tel Aviv University. He has published widely in the field of military strategy and thought, including A History of Military Thought: From the Enlightenment to the Cold War.

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Product details

Publisher : Oxford University Press; Illustrated edition (April 15, 2008)
Language : English
Paperback : 840 pages
ISBN-10 : 0199236631
ISBN-13 : 978-0199236633
Item Weight : 2.8 pounds
Dimensions : 9.2 x 1.5 x 5.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #652,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #880 in Military History (Books)
- #1,426 in History of Civilization & Culture

Customer Reviews:
42 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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Akhilesh Pillalamarri

Best Book on the Topic

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2012

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This is by far the best book on the subject I've read. The author's approach is refreshingly holistic, combining insights from fields as diverse as anthropology, evolutionary biology, psychology, archaeology, economics, history, and International Relations theory. The book is extremely objective, relying on data (qualitative and quantitative) gathered from the social sciences and the author does not waste any space attempting to moralize, justify, or be subjective in regards to the topic of war. Dr. Gat is a mostly a realist for sure, and presents war as it is in human nature and throughout human history. The book is readable and interesting yet at the same time very thorough. I've read a lot of books- academic and non-academic- in the social sciences, but this is the book that has had the most impact on my understanding of the grand scheme of human nature and human civilization. A word to those who are expecting a book on strategy and specific battle tactics- those are not to be found in here. This book focuses on the big picture, on the phenomenon of war. As with everyone else who has reviewed this book, I believe this book to be a true masterpiece and recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about war, and the connection between war and other aspects of human civilization and history.

13 people found this helpful

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Bart SFCA

A stunning study of War ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2017

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This is a stunning study of one of the biggest engagements of the human race: War. The arc of war is long, crooked and thanatotic. The never-likely but always hoped-for result, Mr. Gat argues, is peace, stability and progress -- until the next war at least. It's a big book on big subject, but it can be digested in small repasts. It deserves its accolades. ##

3 people found this helpful

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BernardZ

Eye opener

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2010

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I learnt much reading this book. I also think it showed that the writer actually has military experience and knows what he is talking about.

The book itself should be split into two parts. The first part dealing with prehistoric and the second civilized warfare. Much of what he describes as primitive warfare we would call crime. I thought his comments about how civilization has actually reduced warfare fascinating.

5 people found this helpful

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ZAAJÆ

Way beyond 5 Stars ! The one book that senior career Military Professionals should read !

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2006

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This is truly a "shock and awe" book! Once again, Azar Gat will stun and amaze you with 800 pages of pure intellect to the Nth degree! I was always very impressed by his other books on war. Yet, with 28+ years of active duty military service and a personal library of 1000+ books on various military subjects - I have NEVER been more impressed by such a comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment on the "enigma of Warre". This book seamlessly blends psychology, sociology, archeology, anthropology, and history, along with a myriad of other relevant disciplines to provide the most extensive examination on the general theme of war that I have ever experienced. I am now totally convinced that all senior military officers should only study the broad scope of war from such a well-informed interdisciplinary approach {long before they delve into any details with the devil). This book is anything but a `same-old-same-old' standard perspective of war. This book will force a truly open-minded reader to reassess every facet of war - and every predisposition encountered about war. I believe that this book is "the" seminal document to begin a reeducation and reassessment of our all of our so-called `modern-day' beliefs, motives, policies, strategies, operations and tactics about war. This book should be a mandatory read for all senior officials at the Whitehouse, DOD, DoS,DNI, NSA, CIA, FBI, and ALL intelligence agencies. This book should be a mandatory read at every service staff college and war college. Get it - read it - read it again and again - and you will ponder new perspectives about the riddle of war for years to come.

49 people found this helpful

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OldGuy

A Remarkable Book

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2008

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WAR has the shortest title but is one of the largest books I own. It is packed with information and well-written. A wonderful book to dip in any time to learn something new and unexpected.

5 people found this helpful

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walter hardzog

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2016

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profoundly stimulating

One person found this helpful

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Ofir ZEMER

interesting subject, but the reader gets lost by several repetitions and recaps

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2014

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nteresting subject, but the reader gets lost by several repetitions and recaps, at the end of the book, I felt that I got lost in the recaps

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Top reviews from other countries

Sally

A masterpiece

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2012

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Azar Gut has written the definitive account of the origins of war in human society. Its in the genes or, rather, the propensity toward and choice of violence to attain one's goals is in the genes but we also have 'negotiation genes' and 'peaceful coexistence genes' (my description not the author's). We can, if we choose to, control our choices but controlling the choices of others is a different matter. Possibly we all evolve together or not at all.

This work represents a combination of history, prehistory, anthropology, psychology and political science. A truly amazing book.

One person found this helpful

Jonathan

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2016

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Delighted.

One person found this helpful

Adam

Strongly recommended to anyone interested in history and warfare.

Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2018

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Excellent book. Comprehensive, extensively researched and the most complete work I have ever found regarding the development of "war" throughout history.

Amazon Customer

aside from the propensity for run-on sentences and unnecessarily long words where short ones would do

Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2015

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Well worth reading, if somewhat depressing about the human condition. A massive amount of information and well presented, aside from the propensity for run-on sentences and unnecessarily long words where short ones would do. If you are interested in the long sweep of history, pretty much a "must read".

One person found this helpful

George Wilton

The "Standard Work" for Political Scientists and Strategists.......

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2014

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The above just about sums it up - but this is no easy read and seems to repeat itself at times.

Gat also has a bit of an obsession with the 'Prisoner's Dilemma' and the 'Red Queen' concepts but this does not detract from the fundamental nature of the book as a descriptor of war and its causes through history.

If you are looking for an 'easy read' then this is not for you but if you are looking for the standard academic work and one that will provide an excellent source of reference with a bibliography for further reading then this is money well spent.

2 people found this helpful

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