by Chris Hedges
First published 2002
War acts like a drug that gives people purpose and meaning. New York Times correspondent Chris Hedges draws on his frontline experience covering conflicts in the Balkans, Middle East, and Central America to examine this uncomfortable truth. He argues that war provides an intoxicating sense of resolve and nobility that attracts not just soldiers but entire societies. Hedges witnessed how friends, enemies, colleagues, and strangers all fell under war's spell, becoming addicted to its powerful effects. His analysis tackles the ugly realities behind humanity's attraction to armed conflict. The book presents a nuanced meditation that combines sophisticated thinking with gritty battlefield observations, exploring why people find war so compelling despite its destructive nature.
Genres: history, 20th-century, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: gritty, nuanced
Setting: Balkans, Middle East, Central America
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
211 pages · Paperback · PublicAffairs
Content warnings: violence, war