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War in Human Civilization 1st Edition

by Azar Gat (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 104 ratings
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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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  1. ISBN-10
    0199236631
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0199236633
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    April 15, 2008
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches
  8. Print length
    840 pages
  9. See all details
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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

"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

Book Description

New in paperback--An "immensely ambitious" study of the roots of war, spanning thousands of years and circling the globe

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 840 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199236631
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199236633
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.75 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.75 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 104 ratings

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Azar Gat

Azar Gat

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
104 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Chris Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars dope book
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
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only a quarter the way through this mammoth book and loving it
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ZAAJÆ
5.0 out of 5 stars Way beyond 5 Stars ! The one book that senior career Military Professionals should read !
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2006
Verified 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.
57 people found this helpful
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Akhilesh Pillalamarri
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on the Topic
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 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.
16 people found this helpful
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Bart SFCA
5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning study of War ...
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 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
5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
6 people found this helpful
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Ofir ZEMER
3.0 out of 5 stars 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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alon jakonson
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing book
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
amazing book
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OldGuy
5.0 out of 5 stars 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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Top reviews from other countries

Brian Ashe
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, deep research, well written
Reviewed in Canada on November 2, 2022
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This is a very readable book, though quite long. It is deeply researched and includes much recent evidence from archaeology and written documentation in ancient languages. The unfortunate conclusion is that warfare (or at least fighting) has always been part of human life, from the earliest times and in all types of cultures. And that it will likely continue to be.
Excellent book, but unhappy conclusion. Hard to refute. Strongly recommended if you are a student of history or the military.
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George Wilton
5.0 out of 5 stars The "Standard Work" for Political Scientists and Strategists.......
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
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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Adam
5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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Sally
5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2012
Verified Purchase
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
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars aside from the propensity for run-on sentences and unnecessarily long words where short ones would do
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
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
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