In "The Shortest History of War," Gwynne Dyer tackles the monumental task of summarizing the evolution of warfare from its earliest forms to the present day. With Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, the relevance of understanding the history of war has never been more pressing. Dyer’s book arrives just in time, offering readers a succinct yet comprehensive overview of humanity's long and bloody relationship with conflict.

Dyer expertly navigates through the various stages of war, from tribal skirmishes to classical battles, and on to the devastating total wars of the 20th century. He also addresses modern forms of conflict, including terrorism, nuclear threats, and the alarming rise of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). The breadth of his analysis is impressive, providing a clear picture of how warfare has evolved over millennia.

However, while the book is packed with historical insights, some readers may find it a bit too clinical. The horrors of war—its human cost and the emotional toll on those involved—are not the focus here. Instead, Dyer takes a more detached, analytical approach, which, while informative, might leave some readers craving a more visceral understanding of the impact of war.

That said, "The Shortest History of War" excels in its mission to condense complex history into a digestible format. It's ideal for readers who want a broad understanding of the history of warfare without getting lost in the details. Dyer's clear writing and logical structure make it accessible, even to those new to the subject.

Overall, this book is a valuable addition to the Shortest History series, providing a timely and necessary context for understanding how past conflicts shape our present and future.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Concisely tells the story of wars throughout human history. Truly exemplifies how people who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it...

The shortest history of war. This talks about the shortest history and what goes into warfare. The changes that have happened in that process and why we end up in wars

The blurb says

"War has always been a defining feature of human society. This new addition to the Shortest History series explains why we do it—and how we can stop."

But it doesn't. It mainly explains how humans have done war, and the changes that have happened to that process. Because it takes a high level view, which is necessary for the shortest history concept, the people, pain and horror of war are largely absent. There was something curiously unsatisfying abut this book, even though it raises some interesting points and is clear, with nifty little illustrations for relevant concepts. It's blandly factual and apolitical and rather bloodless.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc, in exchange for an honest review.