War in Human Civilization 1st Edition

by Azar Gat (Author)

15 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0199236633

ISBN-10: 0199236631

Why is ISBN important?

Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Share <Embed>

Condition: Used - Like New

In Stock. Sold by allnewbooks

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

15 Used from $35.06

+ $3.99 shipping

Deliver to France

Turn on 1-Click ordering

Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

This item ships to France. Want it Thursday, Oct. 18? Choose AmazonGlobal Priority Shipping at checkout. Learn more

List Price: $37.95
Save: $6.99 (18%)

15 New from $30.96

Deliver to France

Turn on 1-Click ordering

More Buying Choices

15 New from $30.96 15 Used from $35.06

30 used & new from $30.96

See All Buying Options

Free Two-Day Shipping for College Students with Amazon Student

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.

Frequently bought together

Total price: $44.57

One of these items ships sooner than the other. Show details

Buy the selected items together

This item:War in Human Civilization by Azar Gat Paperback $30.96
Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping. Details
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker Paperback $13.61
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Ronald F. Inglehart
Hardcover
$29.46
Steven Pinker

791

Paperback
$13.61
Matt Ridley

64

Paperback
$16.00
David Brooks

510

Paperback
$12.25
William H. McNeill

107

Paperback
$13.92
Peter Paret

51

Paperback
$36.57

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.

Paperback: 840 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (April 15, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0199236631
ISBN-13: 978-0199236633
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 1.5 x 5.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 15 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #545,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1156 in Books > History > World > Civilization & Culture
- #1435 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Military
- #15770 in Books > History > Military

Would you like to tell us about a lower price?
If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support?

Be the first video

Your name here

Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features:

See Kindle Edition

Customer reviews

4 star (0%)

2 star (0%)

Write a customer review

See all 15 customer reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Akhilesh Pillalamarri

Best Book on the Topic

January 24, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Bart SFCA

A stunning study of War ...

February 19, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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. ##

One person found this helpful

Comment

April 10, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

ZAAJÆ

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

December 6, 2006

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

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.

43 people found this helpful

Comment

June 23, 2008

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

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.

4 people found this helpful

Comment

March 4, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

profoundly stimulating

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Ofir ZEMER

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

June 24, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

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

Helpful

Not Helpful

Comment

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more about Amazon Giveaway

This item: War in Human Civilization

Set up a giveaway

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Azar Gat
Hardcover
$33.19
Steven Pinker

791

Paperback
$13.61
Lawrence H. Keeley

76

Paperback
$18.87
Azar Gat

2

Paperback
$104.42
Azar Gat

2

Paperback
$24.46
15

Paperback
$40.15

Pages with related products. See and discover other items: world civilization

War in Human Civilization 1st Edition

Turn on 1-Click ordering

Turn on 1-Click ordering

Frequently bought together

Customers who bought this item also bought

Sponsored products related to this item (What's this?)

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Related Video Shorts (0)

Be the first video

Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features:

Customer reviews

Filter by popular topics in reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Most recent customer reviews

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

War in Human Civilization 1st Edition

Sorry, there was a problem.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Buy used On clicking this link, a new layer will be open $26.32 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open

Turn on 1-Click ordering

Buy new On clicking this link, a new layer will be open $30.96 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open

Turn on 1-Click ordering

Frequently bought together

Customers who bought this item also bought

Sponsored products related to this item (What's this?)

Editorial Reviews

Review

About the Author

Product details

Related Video Shorts (0)

Be the first video

Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features:

Customer reviews

Filter by popular topics in reviews

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Most recent customer reviews

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Buy used On clicking this link, a new layer will be open

$26.32 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open

Buy new On clicking this link, a new layer will be open

$30.96 On clicking this link, a new layer will be open