The Human Face of Warfare: Killing, fear and chaos in battle

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This text analyzes the human face of warfare in the past, present and future. The essays, by international experts, cover issues including the psychology of killing in society and in the military; the past and future stresses on commanders; the making of war heroes; and the role of women in combat. It analyzes the growing dilemma in Western democracies caused by the need to commit forces to far-flung campaigns to maintain international security in the face of increasing public reluctance to accept military casualties in the days of instantaneous media coverage. The approach is interdisciplinary and broad-ranging, with insights into the psychology and history of conflict. The contributors argue that war is still waged by human beings rather than technology; consequently, understanding human factors is key to understanding conflict.

Author Bio

Dr Michael Evans is Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Army's Land Warfare Studies Centre in Canberra. He is a former military officer and a graduate of the universities of Rhodesia, London and Western Australia. Dr Alan Ryan is Research Fellow at the Land Warfare Studies Centre. He is a former military officer, a graduate of the universities of Melbourne and Cambridge, and has lectured in history and politics at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.