The Shield of Achilles

A huge book, challenging to read, but worth the effort. Bobbitt examines the formation of Western States from Imperial State to State-Nations to Nation States, an evolutionary process involving states-craft and warfare whereby states develop their form and legitimacy. Examing the causes of the "Long War" or WWI through to the end of the Cold War, Bobbit shows how political states take...more

A huge book, challenging to read, but worth the effort. Bobbitt examines the formation of Western States from Imperial State to State-Nations to Nation States, an evolutionary process involving states-craft and warfare whereby states develop their form and legitimacy. Examing the causes of the "Long War" or WWI through to the end of the Cold War, Bobbit shows how political states take shape both by developing constitutions and by waging war. Both activities are a struggle to find the legitimacy needed to command a people. The lessons he sees in how the Long War played out are then applied to our current struggle as the "market-state" seeks to win the legitimacy that the capitalist, democratic nation states forged through the 20th century.Not a book to pick up lightly. It needed room and time to concentrate. But very worth the effort.   hide