Why We Fight

Some writers pretend to be scholars and regurgitate the deep thinking of others without adding anything to it. Some scholars take the deep thinking of others and layer on their own thoughts unencumbered by any actual experience. Mike Martin is the rare scholar who has thought deeply about what he has actually experienced. Leavened by impressive scholarship, he presents a compelling analysis of why Homo sapiens behave the way we do. While conflict is his touchstone, the questions he raises about free will are far broader in their implications for our future as a species. If anything, he may understate how truly appalling our proven capacity is to--over and over again--kill others who are outside of our family/tribe/group. It challenges what you think you know for certain about yourself as well as the leaders you trust. The book is well documented, well written, and an easy read.

Reading this during the Russia-Ukraine war, I become more and more convinced that Mike Martin is right. We do not go to war for religious reasons, for instance — but for the broader human needs lying under religion. And these are: a need to belong, and seeking status. Starting out sceptical, I came to agree with this veteran of Afghanistan that these two drives are behind most of what we humans do, not just going to war. He manages to explain culture wars as well as physical war. So, it would seem, that Trump pretended to be anti-abortion and religious so that he could belong to and lead a wide group of people who shared deep-seated fears and goals, and who dressed them up with moral justifications. Bizarrely, I read this book by a mistake — confusing the author with someone else. What a worthwhile mistake to make. This is easy to read, illuminating, fascinating and changes how I approach the world.

I was very happy when this book arrived from Ireland. It was not overly late either.

This is a highly relevant book that comes at a time where the globe seems to favour breaking up groups (the European Union) rather than forming still larger groups (Trans Pacific Partnership). Our bodies are evolving to favour participation in groups. To enable that to happen this book does an excellent job explaining the solutions to five social problems. It also provides some insight into how to address extremism. Any attempts to separate them from the group (them and us) will be counter-productive in the long-term.

Mike Martin's book is deeply researched and well written. His argument is thoughtful, well encapsulated, and difficult to disagree with. An excellent contribution to previous studies by Captain Basil Liddell Hart and T. E. Lawrence, whose insights are similar to his. The author has made an important contribution to the literature on war. It should be read by everyone who takes an interest in the subject.