The Lessons of History

By Michael Eliot Howard

Book Overview

In this highly readable new book, one of the most eminent military historians in the world discusses the processes of historical change that ignited European wars of the twentieth century. Michael Howard ponders the continuing significance of nationalism, explores the conflicting ideologies that arose from industrialism, and argues that, despite the tendency of modern societies to dedicate themselves to material welfare rather than to heroic achievement, organized violence remains a norm.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300047282
• ISBN13: 9780300047288
• Release Date: February 1991
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 217 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Very good essay collection with a few gems

Like all essay collections, THE LESSONS OF HISTORY can seem thrown together. The opening and closing essays, however, are true gems. In the opening essay, Sir Michael Howard reflects on just what it means to draw lessons from history; in the process, he goes beyond the stale and cliche-ridden stuff that most historians generate when asked to reflect on the question. In particular, readers should ponder Howard's enlightening juxtaposition of the mindset of the military historian, who focuses on the uniqueness of past events and their differences from the present, with the mindset of the military strategist or tactician, who wants to know the past so that he or she can apply historical knowledge to the present.