Where did wargames come from? Who participated in them, and why? How is their development related to changes in real-life warfare? Which aspects of war did they capture, which ones did they leave out, how, and why? What do they tell us about the conduct of war in the times and places where they were played? How useful are they in training and preparation for war? Why are some so much more popular than others, and how do men and women differ in their interest? Starting with the combat of David versus Goliath, passing through the gladiatorial games, tournaments, trials by battle, duels, and board games such as chess, all the way to the latest simulations and computer games, this unique book traces the subject in all its splendid richness. As it does so, it provides new and occasionally surprising insights into human nature.
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Introduction; 1. On animals and men; 2. Games and gladiators; 3. Trials by combat, tournaments, and duels; 4. Battles, campaigns, wars, and politics; 5. From bloody games to bloodless wars; 6. Enter the computer; 7. The females of the species; 8. Conclusions: the mirrors and the mirrored.
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'No other historian could bring us this marvellous history of wargaming and its relationship to the larger strategic and societal trends that are the critical context for the impact these games have had.' Paul Bracken, Yale University, and author of The Second Nuclear Age
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Explores the history and development of wargames, and how they relate to real war and society in general.

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781107684423
Publisert
2013-04-04
Utgiver
Vendor
Cambridge University Press
Vekt
540 gr
Høyde
228 mm
Bredde
152 mm
Dybde
15 mm
Aldersnivå
P, G, 06, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
341

Biographical note

Martin van Creveld is Emeritus Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and one of the world's best known experts on military history and strategy. He is the author of over twenty books, covering all aspects of these subjects, which have now been translated into twenty languages including Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serb and Spanish. Professor van Creveld has consulted for the defense establishments of various countries and taught or lectured at many institutes of higher learning, both military and civilian. He has also written hundreds of articles and conducted interviews for newspapers, television and radio all over the world.