War! What Is It Good For?

Conflict and the Progress of Civilization from Primates to Robots

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, History, Military
Cover of the book War! What Is It Good For? by Ian Morris, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ian Morris ISBN: 9780374711030
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: April 15, 2014
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Language: English
Author: Ian Morris
ISBN: 9780374711030
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: April 15, 2014
Imprint: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Language: English

A powerful and provocative exploration of how war has changed our society—for the better

"War! . . . . / What is it good for? / Absolutely nothing," says the famous song—but archaeology, history, and biology show that war in fact has been good for something. Surprising as it sounds, war has made humanity safer and richer.

In War! What Is It Good For?, the renowned historian and archaeologist Ian Morris tells the gruesome, gripping story of fifteen thousand years of war, going beyond the battles and brutality to reveal what war has really done to and for the world. Stone Age people lived in small, feuding societies and stood a one-in-ten or even one-in-five chance of dying violently. In the twentieth century, by contrast—despite two world wars, Hiroshima, and the Holocaust—fewer than one person in a hundred died violently. The explanation: War, and war alone, has created bigger, more complex societies, ruled by governments that have stamped out internal violence. Strangely enough, killing has made the world safer, and the safety it has produced has allowed people to make the world richer too.

War has been history's greatest paradox, but this searching study of fifteen thousand years of violence suggests that the next half century is going to be the most dangerous of all time. If we can survive it, the age-old dream of ending war may yet come to pass. But, Morris argues, only if we understand what war has been good for can we know where it will take us next.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A powerful and provocative exploration of how war has changed our society—for the better

"War! . . . . / What is it good for? / Absolutely nothing," says the famous song—but archaeology, history, and biology show that war in fact has been good for something. Surprising as it sounds, war has made humanity safer and richer.

In War! What Is It Good For?, the renowned historian and archaeologist Ian Morris tells the gruesome, gripping story of fifteen thousand years of war, going beyond the battles and brutality to reveal what war has really done to and for the world. Stone Age people lived in small, feuding societies and stood a one-in-ten or even one-in-five chance of dying violently. In the twentieth century, by contrast—despite two world wars, Hiroshima, and the Holocaust—fewer than one person in a hundred died violently. The explanation: War, and war alone, has created bigger, more complex societies, ruled by governments that have stamped out internal violence. Strangely enough, killing has made the world safer, and the safety it has produced has allowed people to make the world richer too.

War has been history's greatest paradox, but this searching study of fifteen thousand years of violence suggests that the next half century is going to be the most dangerous of all time. If we can survive it, the age-old dream of ending war may yet come to pass. But, Morris argues, only if we understand what war has been good for can we know where it will take us next.

More books from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cover of the book Tractor Mac New Friend by Ian Morris
Cover of the book The Hare with Amber Eyes (Illustrated Edition) by Ian Morris
Cover of the book Clarence Darrow by Ian Morris
Cover of the book A Long Way Gone by Ian Morris
Cover of the book The Silver Branch by Ian Morris
Cover of the book When I Was a Child I Read Books by Ian Morris
Cover of the book Can't and Won't by Ian Morris
Cover of the book You Say to Brick by Ian Morris
Cover of the book Before Lewis and Clark by Ian Morris
Cover of the book And How Are You, Dr. Sacks? by Ian Morris
Cover of the book The Amazing Bone by Ian Morris
Cover of the book The Dark Flood Rises by Ian Morris
Cover of the book Goodbye, Walter Malinski by Ian Morris
Cover of the book Passage to Ararat by Ian Morris
Cover of the book Coral Glynn by Ian Morris
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy