Shortest History of War

'From the first armies to clashes of drones and dirty bombs, this is eye-opening, big-picture stuff'
BBC HISTORY

In this timely addition to the bestselling Shortest History series, acclaimed writer and military expert Gwynne Dyer tells the story of war from its prehistoric -- perhaps pre-human -- origins to the present age of algorithms, atomic weapons and rising superpower tensions.

This vivid, clear-sighted book is vital reading for anyone who wants to understand the role of war in the long human story: why we do it -- and how we can stop.


'From the first armies to clashes of drones and dirty bombs, this is eye-opening, big-picture stuff' BBC HISTORY on THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF WAR

'Readable and sharp... does what it says on the tin' INDEPENDENT

'Entirely convincing... at once a valuable historical treatise and a fervent and compelling call toward pacifism.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY on WAR

'Dyer writes with eloquence and authority... particularly effective in painting in broad strokes the evolution of warfare' IRISH EXAMINER

'ranges over the terrain of history, sparkling with insight and digressions... brilliant.' SEATTLE TIMES

'A calm and masterful analysis' SCOTSMAN on AFTER IRAQ

'Frightening yet essential reading' LIBRARY JOURNAL on CLIMATE WARS

'A truly important and timely book... Dyer has made the most plausible set of guesses I have yet seen about the human consequences of climate change, how drought and heat may ignite wars, even nuclear wars, around the globe.' JAMES LOVELOCK on CLIMATE WARS

'Dyer eloquently explores the grim detail of how governments will grapple with a challenge unprecedented since before there were governments… As an insight into what the military strategists imagine is going to happen as a result of climate change, this book is truly terrifying.' NEW SCIENTIST on CLIMATE WARS

'Dyer writes with easy fluency and gentle wit.' IRISH TIMES

'Bold, unflinching, and based on exhaustive research... Climate Wars grippingly reveals how world leaders are likely to react, and promises to be one of the most important books of the year.' EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL