| VERDICT: A fine way to obtain a broad understanding of the history of warfare. Readers can use the book’s multitude of citations to explore particular conflicts in greater detail. |
| libraryjournal.com |
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched, hard to stomach at times, and a valuable text!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2026
Disclaimer: Daniel E. Long (D1) is my uncle by marriage. Unbeknownst to him, I purchased this book because I love most things history. I just finished reading it a few minutes ago. This was a difficult read for me because it is very graphic and detailed. I’m glad I read it though, because it portrays war with a clarity that most history books and texts written about war lack. Think of your typical text on this matter as rated E for Everyone or T for Teen, while this book is definitely M for Mature. This is the type of book I would have liked to study in a college level course on the history of war. Beyond informational, it brought strong feelings to the surface. It also caused me to reflect a lot on my own inner conflicts with ethical dilemmas I feel surrounding war. I’ll be reading it again, because there is a lot to digest. Definitely more than enough to cover a 14-week or 16-week long semester course.
Daniel E. Long 
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