Acts of War: The Behaviour of Men in Battle

Acts of War: The Behaviour of Men in Battle

by RichardHolmes (Author)

Synopsis

This ambitious, wide-ranging, exhaustively researched book is a compelling attempt to grasp the very nature of war. It takes us through the soldier's experience in its entirety - from the humiliation of basic training and the intense comradeship of army life, to the terror, isolation and exhaustion of battle. What does it feel like to be in the firing line? How does killing change a man? And what do the extreme conditions of war reveal about a man's basic instincts, his courage or his fear, his urge for self-preservation or self-sacrifice? Covering several centuries of warfare, and including the personal recollections of veterans from two World Wars, from Korea, Vietnam, the Falklands and the Arab-Israeli conflicts, Richard Holmes gives us a powerful picture of what motivates the soldier and enables him to maintain the struggle in conditions of extreme degradation and danger.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 448
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Orion
Published: 09 Oct 2003

ISBN 10: 029784668X
ISBN 13: 9780297846680
Book Overview: Richard Holmes is currently the biggest name in military history A universal theme - how everyday men cope with the business of war A complete soldier's-eye view of the comradeship, isolation, terror and excitement of being in battle

Media Reviews
'... a powerful, thought-provoking picture of how the conditions of war affect a man. His sources are several centuries of warfare and the personal recollections of veterans of conflicts across the world. Holmes presents the results of his ambitious and exhaustive research in a very readable form, carefully balancing fact and emotion, detachment and compassion which adds considerable depth to the wisdom expressed.' ARMOUR (Nov/Dec '03) 'Mr Holmes makes a convincing case that the human being remains the central weapon of military conflict, technology notwithstanding. What emerges is a compelling and very human portrait of war.' THE ECONOMIST (21/2/04)
Author Bio
Richard Holmes is the author of numerous books including The Firing Line, Soldiers and Riding The Retreat, published both in the UK and in North America. He is the author and presenter of the BBC War Walks series and their accompanying books. Another recent television series for the BBC and the History Channel is The Western Front, also accompanied by a bestselling book. Richard Holmes is Professor of Military and Security Studies at Cranfield University and the Royal College of Military Science, Shrivenham and Britain's senior serving reserve officer.