Conflict is central to human history. It is often the cause, course and consequence of social, cultural and political change. Military history therefore has to be more than a technical analysis of armed conflict. War in the Modern World since 1815 addresses war as a cultural phenomenon, discusses its meaning in different societies and explores the various contexts of military action.

Military mobilisation in China / Hans Van de Ven -- South Asia / Douglas Peers -- Japan / Edward Drea -- The United States military, 1815-2000 / Spencer Tucker -- War in modern Latin America / Miguel Angel Centeno -- Sub-Saharan African warfare / John Lamphear -- European warfare 1815-2000 / Peter Wilson -- Naval power and warfare, 1815-2000 / Jan Glete -- Air power and the modern world / John Buckley.