A review by sam2085
War: How Conflict Shaped Us by Margaret MacMillan

4.0

A solid read that makes a persuasive case that war is a phenomenon in some ways as impactful as natural disasters and somewhat distinct from politics (contrary to Lyndon Johnson’s assertion that politics is war). The author argues that war changes society, often leading to increased organization, hierarchy, and the expansion of which individuals and groups recognized as full citizens within a society.

The book could have been stronger if it spent more time on the psychological impact and drew more frequently from conflicts other than the First World War.