War: Ends and Means

by Paul Seabury, Angelo Codevilla

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Description

This book explores the causes, operations, endings, and justifications of war. In the process, it demolishes many currently fashionable illusions, such as that peace is always preferable to war, that wars occur because of accidents or misunderstandings, and that technology changes the nature of war. Abundant historical and contemporary examples show, the authors contend, that all wars are deliberate political choices, that military operations follow timeless principles, and that, as show more Aristotle taught, the natural aim of war is victory. This new edition of the book that Eugene Rostow called ?a gem,? Michael Howard called ?shrewd and trenchant,? and Library Journal called ?persuasive? devotes substantial attention to the wars of the post?Cold War period, including ?the war on terrorism.' show less

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Author Information

10 Works 123 Members
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17+ Works 433 Members
Angelo M. Codevilla is a professor emeritus of international relations at Boston University, a member of the Hoover Institution's working group on military history, and a fellow of the Claremont Institute. His essays and opeds, written in several languages, have appeared in major domestic and foreign magazines and newspapers. Formerly a senior show more research fellow at the Hoover Institution, he is the author of thirteen books, including War: Ends and Means, Informing Statecraft, The Ruling Class, The Character of Nations, Advice to War Presidents, and A Student's Guide to International Relations. show less

Common Knowledge

Original publication date
1989
First words
(Preface to the paperback edition): Had we written War: Ends and Means after the annus mirabilis 1989, we surely would have included illustrations from its key events: the collapse of the East European Communist... (show all) regimes once the massive Soviet military power in the region ceased to support them, the Chinese army stepping out from behind the façade of the Chinese Communist party to crush physically the Democracy movement in Tienammen Square, and the U. S. government pasing up the chance in October to overthrow Panama's dictator, Manuel Noriega, with a company, only to do it with two divisions in December.
(Introduction): Arma virumque cano -- "Of arms and the man I sing."
Peoples define themselves by the kinds of peace they live and the kinds of wars they fight.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But for us to see war as anything but the other side of the coin that tranquility is to misunderstand it, to suffer it, and ultimately to lose it.
Blurbers
Howard, Michael; Cohen, Eliot A.; Ikle, Fred C.

Classifications

Genres
Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics and Government
DDC/MDS
355.02Society, government, & culturePublic administration & military scienceThe Military - Land, Air & Sea / WarfareWar
LCC
U21.2 .S43Military ScienceMilitary science (General)War. Philosophy. Military sociology
BISAC

Statistics

Members
94
Popularity
339,962
Rating
(3.00)
Languages
English, Italian
Media
Paper
ISBNs
4
ASINs
2