How has war shaped modern society and vice versa? How has it changed between the introduction of firearms and the invention of the atom bomb? How is war waged today?

The Oxford History of Modern War examines the techniques, technology, and theory of war from the 'military revolution' of the seventeenth century to the present day, with fascinating thematic chapters covering air and sea warfare, combat experience, women and war, and even opposition to war.

The expert contributors explore major developments and themes, including the growth of modern military professionalism and mass armies, the extraordinary achievements of Napoleon's armies, the role of nationalism in battlegrounds as various as the American Civil War and the former Yugoslavia, colonial wars, the concept and reality of 'total war', and guerrilla warfare.

This new and updated edition, with new chapters on 'people's war' and technology and war, brings the story into the twenty-first century, addressing the dilemmas faced by military strategists in confronting international terrorism and in the wake of the invasion of Iraq.