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How to Think about War
An Ancient Guide to Foreign Policy
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See moreAn accessible modern translation of essential speeches from Thucydides's History that takes readers to the heart of his profound insights on diplomacy, foreign policy, and war
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Description
An accessible modern translation of essential speeches from Thucydides's History that takes readers to the heart of his profound insights on diplomacy, foreign policy, and war.
Why do nations go to war? What are citizens willing to die for? What justifies foreign invasion? And does might always make right? For nearly 2,500 years, students, politicians, political thinkers, and military leaders have read the eloquent and shrewd speeches in Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War for profound insights into military conflict, diplomacy, and the behaviour of people and countries in times of crisis.
How to Think about War presents the most influential and compelling of these speeches in an elegant new translation by classicist Johanna Hanink, accompanied by an enlightening introduction, informative headnotes, and the original Greek on facing pages. The result is an ideally accessible introduction to Thucydides's long and challenging History. Thucydides intended his account of the clash between classical Greece's mightiest powersβAthens and Spartaβto be a 'possession for all time.' Today, it remains a foundational work for the study not only of ancient history but also contemporary politics and international relations.
How to Think about War features speeches that have earned the History its celebrated statusβall of those delivered before the Athenian Assembly, as well as Pericles's funeral oration and the notoriously ruthless 'Melian Dialogue.' Organised by key debates, these complex speeches reveal the recklessness, cruelty, and realpolitik of Athenian warfighting and imperialism.
The first English-language collection of speeches from Thucydides in nearly half a century, How to Think about War takes readers straight to the heart of this timeless thinker.
'[An] innovative translation...With How to Think about War, students...see key speeches set chronologically and in contrast to one another, avoiding an entirely one-dimensional takeaway...Hanink's translation provides a worthwhile addition to the ongoing dialogue inspired by Thucydides.' - MAJ Kerney M. Perlik, US Army War College Quarterly
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
How to Think about War receives praise for its appeal across various fields such as classics, history, and political science. The book is noted for its strategic insights into ancient and modern debates on warfare and foreign policy. Critics commend the translation for setting key speeches in context, offering fresh perspectives without oversimplification, and providing a valuable resource for both newcomers and seasoned readers of Thucydides.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780691190150
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 05 February 2019
Country: United States
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Illustration: 2 maps.
Contributors:
- Translated by Johanna Hanink
- Introduction by Johanna Hanink
- Edited and translated by Johanna Hanink
Audience: General / adult, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 114.0mm
Height: 171.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 336
About the Author
Johanna Hanink is associate professor of classics at Brown University. Her books include The Classical Debt: Greek Antiquity in an Era of Austerity. She lives in Rhode Island. Twitter @johannahan
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