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Why Nations Go to War | 
 enlarge | Author: John G. Stoessinger
Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $63.95
Buy Used: $34.85
You Save: $29.10 (46%)
New (30) Used (25) from $34.85
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 212999
Media: Paperback
Edition: 10
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7
ISBN: 0495097071
Dewey Decimal Number: 909.82
EAN: 9780495097075
ASIN: 0495097071
Publication Date: January 23, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Transmitting an understanding of warfare from World War I to the present, WHY NATIONS GO TO WAR, a unique book and a product of reflection by author, John G. Stoessinger, is built around ten case studies, culminating in the new wars that ushered in the twenty-first century: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the wars between Arabs and Israelis in Gaza and in Lebanon. The distinguishing feature of the book remains the author's emphasis on the pivotal role of the personalities of leaders who take their nations, or their following, across the threshold into war.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
 succinctly summarizes September 26, 2008
I am going to order the udated version - I had this as textbook in Pol. Science years ago - fantastic. It succinctly summarizes and gives a great 'starting point' to understanding major world wars. A must-have on all bookshelves.
 Clearly biased representation of presidents August 28, 2008
The premise and structure of the book are excellent and I commend the writer for putting together such a comprehensive work. However, I find the author's bias against, and for certain leaders to be highly questionable. It's clear to me that the author's personal opinions precluded him from putting together an objective view of the past.
For instance, the author lambasted Lyndon B. Johnson for his handling of Vietnam but he was extremely apologetic when writing about JFK's involvment in escalating said war. He even went so far as to offer his own excuse for why JFK decided to authorize the use of napalm and defoliating agents. He suggested contextually that JFK was somehow forced into his decisions by his advisors -- as though he couldn't think for himself, or is somehow immune from criticism regarding Vietnam.
Again, after writing about the Korean War, the author slams President George W. Bush for his "axis of evil" speech but then credits former (failed) president Jimmy Carter for being some kind of god-like peacemaker there in 1994. It's completely absurd and disregards many of the problems that continued in North Korea between 1994 and 2001. He acts as though N.Korea was all fine and wonderful until President Bush came along....what a joke. His glaring bias seeps off the pages and discredits his entire work -- which again, is unfortunate because I enjoyed most of the book.
I will say that I think his handling of President Clinton's administration was much more balanced. But again, this only serves to highlight his other more slanted views.
Pleased February 8, 2008
The book was in perfect condition. Came to my house quickly. Def. worth it...It was about 15 dollars cheaper than at my college bookstore!
So, Thanks!
Good overview of wars. December 27, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As someone who has taken only survey classes in history, this book was great for specifics in 20th century conflicts. The chapter on Yugoslavia was excellent and helped me write a great essay. I will always remember what the author said about evil being fascinating because it is hard to understand. There are also chapters about WW1, WW2, Iraq. Easy to read and very fun.
Good read February 25, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I don't normally read non fiction but this book is excellent- giving a different view of history and war.
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