The culture of war has its own traditions, laws and customs, rituals, ceremonies, music, art, literature, and monuments since the beginning of civilization. This book argues that men and women, contrary to the hopes of some, are just as fascinated by war today as they have been in the past, and that a military that has lost touch with the culture of war is doomed not merely to defeat but to disintegration.

Title from disc label. Unabridged. Compact disc.

Introduction -- Part 1: Preparing For War -- 1: From war paint to tiger suits -- From boomerangs to bastions -- Educating warriors -- Games of war -- Part 2: In War And Battle -- 5: Opening gambits -- 6: Joy of combat -- 7: Rules of war -- 8: Ending war -- Part 3: Commemorating War -- 9: History and war -- 10: Literature and war -- 11: Art and war -- 12: Monuments to war -- Part 4: World Without War? -- 13: Short history of peace -- Waning of major war -- Beyond the pale -- Quo vadis, homo? -- Part 5: Contrasts -- 17: Wild horde -- 18: Soulless machine -- 19: Men without chests -- 20: Feminism -- Conclusions: The great paradox