War is a compelling subject, common to almost all societies throughout history. This 2005 book provides a detailed account of war in the West from antiquity to the present, and is unique because of its controversial thesis that war in western societies has led to western dominance of the globe.

Introduction: the western way of war Geoffrey Parker; Part I. The Age of Massed Infantry: 1. Genesis of infantry 600-350 BC Victor Davis Hanson; 2. From phalanx to legion 350-250 BC Victor Davis Hanson; 3. The Roman way of war 250 BC-AD 300 Victor Davis Hanson; Part II. The Age of Stone Fortifications: 4. On Roman ramparts 300-1300 Bernard S. Bachrach; 5. New weapons, new tactics 1300-1500 Christopher Allmand; 6. The gunpowder revolution 1300-1500 Geoffrey Parker; Part III. The Age of Guns and Sails: 7. Ships of the line 1500-1650 Geoffrey Parker; 8. Conquest of the Americas 1500-1650 Patricia Seed; 9. Dynastic war 1494-1660 Geoffrey Parker; 10. States in conflict 1661-1763 John A Lynn; 11. Nations in arms 1763-1815 John A. Lynn; Part IV. The Age of Mechanized Warfare: 12. The industrialization of war 1815-71 Williamson A. Murray; 13. Towards world war 1871-1914 Williamson A. Murray; 14. The west at war 1914-18 Williamson A. Murray; 15. The world in conflict 1919-41 Williamson A. Murray; 16. The world at war 1941-5 Williamson A. Murray; 17. The post-war world Williamson A. Murray; Epilogue: the future of western warfare Geoffrey Parker.

"Here is the story of war as the driving force in the rise of the West from the Greeks to our own day. Written by some of the world's leading experts in military history, this remarkable book combines scholarship with style. Without pulling any punches about the misery of the battlefield, it makes the case for the centrality of warfare in the history of the West and the world. Rarely has so much learning, lucidity, and wisdom been found between two covers." -Barry Strauss, Cornell University, and author of The Battle of Salamis: The Naval Encounter that Saved Greece--and Western Civilization"This is, simply, the best survey of the history of warfare in half a century. It explains what the Western way of war is, whence it came, and how it dominated the planet down to the present day. The product of the collaboration of some of the best military historians now writing, it offers judgments as well as a compelling narrative, an argument as well as a story. There can be no better introduction to the study of military history." -Eliot A. Cohen, Robert E. Osgood Professor, Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies"This is a thought-provoking, enjoyable book to read and a good one to have on hand for reference." -Air Power"...Parker and his collaborators have produced an impressive and immensely useful survey, within which are invaluable--not least because they are concise, clearly written and very readable--surveys of major conflicts. In addition, the contributions of the various authors are made to fit into a coherent overall pattern or thesis. The volume will no doubt--and deserves to--find a large market among those seeking among other things to set recent conflicts, and developments in the ways of war, into historical context." -H-German, Christopher Storrs, Department of History, University of Dundee, United Kingdom"...exceptional...beautifully illustrated...A highly readable book, and an interesting one, both for the expert and the amateur enthusiast. A must for college libraries." - U.S.I. Journal"This is an attractive book. The numerous illustrations are marvelous and are integrated well with the text." -Journal of World History"This book deserves close attention from the student of military afairs...a valuable overview of the history of warfare..." -Foreign Affairs"...this is a well-written and handsomely-presented volume...the illustrations are pertinent, and the captions interesting...the range of scholarship is impressive...and it has all been pulled together by the finest military historian currently writing, who has also contributed several important sections." -History in Focus