The Culture of War by Martin van Creveld
Presidio Press Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-345-50540-8
Publish Date: 9/30/2008
http://www.bigapple1.info/intranet/intraneta/asp%20page193.asp?searchbook=40851
Hebrew University’s van Creveld remains unsurpassed as a scholar of war. In this provocative volume, he challenges perhaps the subject’s single greatest shibboleth… Van Creveld demonstrates that war is an essential element of history, rooted in psychology. In a tour de force of scholarship and insight, he takes readers through the processes of preparing for, waging and commemorating war.
—Publishers Weekly (Starred)
“An excellent read, strongly recommended to comprehend the broad cultural setting of today’s ‘Wars Amongst the People’ that is so necessary for waging a successful campaign and attaining victory.”
—General Sir Rupert Smith KCB DSO OBE QGM, author of The Utility of Force: The Art of War in the Modern World
“Others love peace so much that they protect it with a bodyguard of lies about war. Martin van Creveld tells the truth. He explains why 99% of wars have been fought by volunteers: combat can be wonderful. But when it turns grim, a culture of war—everything from fifes & drums to a compelling sense of manly honor—is needed to sustain fighting morale. There is no survival without it—not on this planet.”
—Dr. Edward N. Luttwak, author of Coup d’État: A Practical Handbook and Strategy: The Logic of War and Peace
”In The Culture of War, the incomparable Marvin van Creveld is in top form–provocative, informative, stimulating.”
—John Whiteclay Chambers II, Rutgers University, Editor-in-chief of The Oxford Companion to American Military History
“In The Culture of War, Martin van Creveld brilliantly overturns the notion that war is merely the extension of politics by other means.”
—William S. Lind, Military theorist
For more than 30 years Martin van Creveld has been one of the world’s foremost military thinkers. His Supplying War and Command in War remain today the seminal works on military logistics and command and control. In The Culture of War, van Creveld once more shows an exceptional mastery of his subject as he explores a vital but rarely acknowledged aspect of war, its deep-rooted culture. As he did in his provocative, The Transformation of War, van Creveld takes on the Prussian strategist Carl von Clausewitz; this time arguing that Clausewitz’s premise that wars are fought only for political ends fails to recognize that war is also an end in itself. That end he maintains is represented in war’s culture, a culture of fear, excitement, weapons, organizations, history, traditions, and much more that are melded and infused into the minds of those who take up arms. Van Creveld presents his case powerfully and convincingly with a rich mixture of historical and contemporary examples. Citizens and soldiers alike will find this book informative, novel, and thought-provoking. I consider it a must read for every military professional.
—Lt. Gen. Paul K. Van Riper, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Martin van Creveld continues to give us insight in the many facets of war. Each time he adds another dimension, sharing his broad knowledge and brilliant analytical mind. The Culture of War brings us another step into understanding the underlying issues.
—Dr. Joel P. Wyler, Chairman Granaria Holdings B.V.
“This splendid volume affirms what we already know: Martin van Creveld is the most creative, most insightful, and most important military historian writing in English today.”
—Andrew J. Bacevich, author of The New American Militarism: How Americans Are Seduced by War
“Martin van Creveld has written another brilliant and unique work that, again, provides insight and perspective into the understanding of war. Few strategists have his depth of knowledge, research discipline, and analytic ability. The Culture of War will be another classic and required reading for all those that need to truly understand the nature of conflict.”
—General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Retired), author of New York Times Bestseller The Battle for Peace