The Psychology of War: Comprehending Its Mystique and Its Madness

First published in 1992, this timely book is now brought back into print with a brand-new introduction.

Our wars have become more lethal, yet the affinity for war hasn't changed. Why? As the entire world anticipates a lengthy war against terrorism, this intriguing study provides a new understanding of why people fight wars so frequently and ferociously. Former military psychologist Lawrence LeShan's piercing analysis reveals why war is often chosen over more peaceful solutions, and why it is so easy to get into a war and so hard to get out. Can peace be planned? How can we devise an "early warning system" for war? Are some government structures more prone to war than others?