Asia Pacific University Library catalogue


Cultures of war : Pearl Harbor / Hiroshima / 9-11 / Iraq / John W. Dower.

By: Dower, John WMaterial type: TextTextPublication details: New York : W. W. Norton : New Press, c2010Edition: 1st edDescription: xxxvii, 596 p. : ill. ; 25 cmISBN: 9780393061505 (hbk.)Subject(s): War and society -- United States | Strategic culture -- United States | World War, 1939-1945 | September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 | Iraq War, 2003-2011 | United States -- History, Military -- 20th century | United States -- History, Military -- 21st century | United States -- Military policyDDC classification: 355.00973 LOC classification: E745 | .D69 2010Summary: A groundbreaking comparative study of the dynamics and pathologies of war in modern times. Over recent decades, Pulitzer-winning historian John W. Dower has addressed the roots and consequences of war from multiple perspectives. Here he examines the cultures of war revealed by four powerful events--Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, 9-11, and the invasion of Iraq in the name of a war on terror. The list of issues examined and themes explored is wide-ranging: failures of intelligence and imagination, wars of choice and "strategic imbecilities," faith-based secular thinking as well as more overtly holy wars, the targeting of noncombatants, and the almost irresistible logic--and allure--of mass destruction. Dower also sets the U.S. occupations of Japan and Iraq side by side in strikingly original ways. He offers comparative insights into individual and institutional behavior and pathologies that transcend "cultures" in the more traditional sense, and that ultimately go beyond war-making alone.--From publisher description.
    Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)
Item type Current library Collection Call number Copy number Status Date due Barcode
General Circulation General Circulation APU Library
Open Shelf
Book E745 .D69 2010 c.1 (Browse shelf (Opens below)) 1 Available 00012565
General Circulation General Circulation APU Library
Open Shelf
Book E745 .D69 2010 c.2 (Browse shelf (Opens below)) 2 Available 00017306

Includes bibliographical references (p. 453-551) and index.

A groundbreaking comparative study of the dynamics and pathologies of war in modern times. Over recent decades, Pulitzer-winning historian John W. Dower has addressed the roots and consequences of war from multiple perspectives. Here he examines the cultures of war revealed by four powerful events--Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, 9-11, and the invasion of Iraq in the name of a war on terror. The list of issues examined and themes explored is wide-ranging: failures of intelligence and imagination, wars of choice and "strategic imbecilities," faith-based secular thinking as well as more overtly holy wars, the targeting of noncombatants, and the almost irresistible logic--and allure--of mass destruction. Dower also sets the U.S. occupations of Japan and Iraq side by side in strikingly original ways. He offers comparative insights into individual and institutional behavior and pathologies that transcend "cultures" in the more traditional sense, and that ultimately go beyond war-making alone.--From publisher description.

There are no comments on this title.

to post a comment.