Why people recommend it
On the Origins of War by Donald Kagan is a comprehensive historical study analyzing the underlying causes and catalysts behind major global conflicts throughout antiquity and modern history. On an episode of The Daily Stoic titled H.R. McMaster on the Power of Strategic Empathy, released on October 29, 2021, guest H.R. McMaster referenced the author and his scholarship. McMaster stated that Donald Kagan's single-volume treatment of the subject is brilliant. Additionally, the speaker specifically mentioned Kagan's essay featured within the book titled On the Origins of War and Prospects for Peace. McMaster pointed listeners toward these works as accessible and deeply informative entry points into the complex study of why wars begin, bypassing the need to immediately tackle much larger multi-volume historical sets. The recommendation emphasizes the importance of rigorous historical inquiry when examining international tensions and the breakdown of diplomacy. Through this discussion, McMaster underscored the value of Kagan's insights for anyone seeking to understand the recurring patterns of conflict and the fragile nature of peace across different historical eras.
Who recommended it
- H. R. McMaster Recommended
H. R. McMaster — 1 mention
“uh don kagan's one volume of that is brilliant or his essay on it in the book called on the origins of war and prospects for peace”