ABSTRACT

This lucid account of military developments around the modern world begins with the American War of Independence and the French revolutionary wars and continues chronologically to the latest 21st century conflicts. It combines determinedly global coverage with thought-provoking analysis not only of the military aspects of conflict but also its social, cultural, political and economic dimensions and consequences.

By placing familiar events alongside the largely unknown, the reader is forced to reassess the standard grand narrative of military history that rests on assumptions of Western cultural and technological superiority. It will be essential reading for students worldwide, whether studying modern military history, modern world history, history and international relations or war and society.

This fully updated second edition includes:

    • chapter introductions and conclusions to assist study and revision
    • 'Voices of War' sourced extracts from the field of conflict
    • case studies in each chapter to support the narrative and provoke discussion
    • a 12-page colour map section and over 20 other integrated maps
    • annotated references from the latest publications in the field

chapter 2|19 pages

Empires Rise and Fall, 1800–30

chapter 3|21 pages

Moulding States, 1830–80

chapter 4|20 pages

Building Empires, 1830–1913

chapter 5|16 pages

World War One, 1914–18

chapter 6|21 pages

Between Two World Wars

chapter 7|52 pages

World War Two, 1939–45

chapter 8|20 pages

Wars of Decolonization, 1945–94

chapter 9|40 pages

The Cold War, 1945–90

chapter 10|27 pages

Wars between Non-Western Powers, 1945–90

chapter 11|16 pages

War in the 1990s

chapter 12|28 pages

War in the 2000s and 2010s

chapter 13|10 pages

Conclusions