This intriguing study examines Western perceptions of war in and beyond the nineteenth century, surveying the writings of novelists, anthropologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, philosophers, poets, natural scientists, and journalists to trace the terms of modern thought on the nature of military conflict.
Daniel Pick brings together philosophical and historical models of war with fictions of invasion, propaganda from the Great War, interpretations of shellshock and speculations about the biological value of conquest. He discusses the work of such familiar commentators as Clausewitz, Engels, and Treitschke, and examines little-known writings by Proudhon, De Quincey, Ruskin, Valery, and many others, culminating in the extraordinary dialogue between Freud and Einstein, Why War? He analyses Victorian fears of French contamination through the Channel Tunnel as well as the widespread continuing dread of German domination. And he charts the history of the pervasive European belief that war is beneficial or at least functionally necessary.
A central theme of the book is the disturbing relationship between machinery and destruction. Visions of relentless technological 'progress' and the inexorable advance of the military-industrial complex often seem to distort our understanding of war, even to reduce it to a sophisticated game played out by high-precision automata. Pick explores both the reassuring and troubling aspects of such representations. Shorn of human agency or responsibility, war apparently threatens to become technologically unstoppable, the remorseless 'perfect abattoir' of the industrial age. War Machine explores the enduring historical fascination with - and recoil from - brutal mechanical slaughter, and the modern aquiescence in, and enthusiasm for (in Rilke's phrase), 'these days of monstrously accelerated dying'.
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Da: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, Regno Unito
Paperback. Condizione: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Codice articolo GOR004409132
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Black Cat Hill Books, Oregon City, OR, U.S.A.
Paperback. Twelve pages early in the text show UNDERLINING AND MARGINALIA IN INK. Else, Near Fine in Wraps: shows only minor indications of use: just a hint of wear to extremities; mildest rubbing. The binding shows very slight lean, but remains perfectly secure. Clearly, this book is flawed, but if one could overlook the underlining early on, would make a handsome reading copy. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. 292pp. University Press Paperback. This fascinating book examines Western perceptions of war in and beyond the nineteenth century, surveying the writings of novelists, anthropologists, psychiatrists, poets, natural scientists, and journalists to trace the origins of modern philosophies about the nature of war and conflict. 'This is a clever, interesting, and in many ways learned book.' John Keegan, Sunday Telegraph 'In a brilliant work of cultural analysis, Pick has mined some curious disparate areas and been rewarded with remarkable material for study.' Observer 'Profound . A fascinating book.' Martin Pawley, Guardian 'Continuously intelligent and concerned, cogently argued, well-informed . I fear this excellent book will always be timely.' Tony Tanner, European 'Pick, in his timely new study of how war came to be justified in the 20th century, provides a hundred reasons why no country should ever get involved in fighting.' Walter Ellis, Times 'An original, eclectic and personal study . Pick has cast his net widely to survey a broad sample of political, literary, economic and psychological works of Europe's most important thinkers and writers.'. Codice articolo 44153
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, Regno Unito
Condizione: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. A tan to the pages. Codice articolo wbb0024614676
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Anybook.com, Lincoln, Regno Unito
Condizione: Poor. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. Book contains pencil & highlighter markings. In poor condition, suitable as a reading copy. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,500grams, ISBN:9780300067194. Codice articolo 5953996
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Anybook.com, Lincoln, Regno Unito
Condizione: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,500grams, ISBN:9780300067194. Codice articolo 5807006
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Librería 7 Colores, Madrid, M, Spagna
Encuadernación de tapa blanda. Condizione: Bien. Codice articolo 797000
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: gearbooks, The Bronx, NY, U.S.A.
Trade Paperback. Condizione: Like New. Wyndham Lewis (Cover Illustration) (illustratore). 292 pp. Flawless book. Codice articolo 6iiBd0013
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: The Guru Bookshop, Hereford, Regno Unito
Paperback. Condizione: Fine. Fast Despatch Soft Covers - will send out 1 st class post within 12 hours of receipt of order. Codice articolo mon0000134450
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Barksdale Books, Almere, Paesi Bassi
Condizione: Good. Paperback, 8vo. Codice articolo 359364-VC49
Quantità: 1 disponibili
Da: Hay-on-Wye Booksellers, Hay-on-Wye, HEREF, Regno Unito
Condizione: Good. Some outer edges have minor scuffs. Cover has light scratches/marks. Previous owners signature inside cover. Book content is in very good condition. Codice articolo 068952-10
Quantità: 1 disponibili