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About War is the first in a new book series, the Making Sense of War, by author Christopher K Pike.
War, like death and taxes, seems eternal but is it inevitable? Do nations simply blunder into it? What is victory and how is it achieved?
The author of this original and lively study answers these and other perennial questions about War and Warfare (not the same thing) that scholars often ignore.
Pike explains how strategy fuses objectives and action, how war leaders invariably (and literally) lose the plot; how the relationship between generals and politicians is key.
He looks at nuclear war and provides some provocative insights; he argues that Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) – while a hideous concept – provides strategic stability.
He also highlights the absurdity and folly of past wars – football wars, wars about pigs or ears – but stresses that wars, a last resort once diplomacy has failed, are lost by those blinded by hubris, irresolution or simple strategic confusion.
Christopher K. Pike’s About War is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of warfare—its causes, consequences, and contradictions. Avoiding academic jargon, he delivers a clear-eyed analysis that challenges assumptions and brings fresh insight to a timeless topic.
He draws a sharp distinction between war and warfare, delving into strategy, leadership, and the critical—often fraught—relationship between politicians and generals. His discussion of nuclear deterrence is especially bold, arguing that MAD, while morally disturbing, provides a strange kind of strategic balance.
While rich in insight, some sections could benefit from more illustrative examples to ground complex ideas, especially for readers new to military theory.A sharp, original study that makes the complexities of war understandable without oversimplifying. Highly recommended for readers of history, politics, and strategic thought.
The book shines in its historical range and intellectual clarity, particularly in its critique of irrational wars fought over seemingly absurd causes. It reminds us that wars are often lost not on the battlefield but in boardrooms clouded by hubris, indecision, or strategic confusion.
A sharp, original study that makes the complexities of war understandable without oversimplifying. Highly recommended for readers of history, politics, and strategic thought.
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