Ph. D. in Military History, University of Virginia
"This book will read with pleasure by specialists and military
history buffs alike....No one can accuse O'Connell of ever boring
his reader....O'Connell's comments are always stimulating....[A]
most interesting and thoughtful book."--L.H. Gann, The
International History Review
"O'Connell, a man with impressive credentials as a defense analyst,
disarmament negotiator, and historian, has produced a challenging,
interdisciplinary study of the historical relationship between
culture, weapons technology, and warfare."--Booklist
"Full of fresh and sometimes provocative interpretations, couched
in a stimulating writing style which laypersons as well as scholars
will appreciate."--Library Journal
"Brilliant general history, focusing on man as a tool-making social
predator. Particularly good on intelligence, communications, and
decision-making in the electronic and nuclear age."--Theodore Ropp,
Duke University
"O'Connell's judicious study of the evolution of arms from sticks
and stones to death-dealing rifles, machine guns, and cannons, and,
finally, to nuclear weapons demonstrates that weaponry, however
destructive, has neither prevented wars nor encouraged restraint in
its employment."--Norman A. Graebner, University of Virginia
"Stimulating....A lucid and well-written account of how weapons and
warfare have changed over the millennia."--Richard Eder, Los
Angeles Times Book Review
"[A] welcome addition...The particular insight which distinguishes
Mr. O'Connell's work from others is his examination of human
belligerence from a perspective normally reserved for
anthropologists and biologists."--Naval War College Review
"Most readable. Adaptable to either a history of a Western culture
class."--R.T. Paytan, West Washington University
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