This book attempts to put war in its political context.

"A major statement on the relations between military affairs and statecraft by the dean of American civilian strategists" -- Cover.

Part I : De quoi s'agit-it? -- The test of World War II -- The test of Korea -- The test of Vietnam -- Vietnam : why we failed -- Part II : Changing attitudes towards war -- Some theories on the causes of war -- Vital interests : what are they and who says so? -- On nuclear weapons : utility in nonuse -- Strategic thinkers, planners, decision-makers.