Book · 2026 · Literary Criticism
The Shield of Achilles
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One of my favorite books was a shield of Achilles, which is like this thousandpage book on constitutional government in Europe and it shows how every time there's like a new form of warfare that's best.
Joe Lonsdale · Modern Wisdom · Apr 2025 Listen at 56:28 Why people recommend it
The Shield of Achilles by W. H. Auden is a monumental work of literary and historical analysis that examines the evolution of Western society, warfare, and constitutional governance. On an episode of Modern Wisdom titled How To Win The War Of The Future - Joe Lonsdale - #934, released on April 28, 2025, guest Joe Lonsdale referenced the book during a wide-ranging discussion on the future of conflict, technology, and political structures. Lonsdale identified the publication as one of his favorite books, describing it as a massive, thousand-page exploration of constitutional government in Europe. He explained that the central thesis of the book demonstrates how every major historical shift toward a new and superior form of warfare inevitably transforms the underlying structure and organization of governments. By connecting military innovation directly to political evolution, Lonsdale used the book's framework to analyze contemporary geopolitical challenges and the changing nature of state power. The discussion highlighted how deep historical reading can provide crucial insights into modern strategic dilemmas, showing that the ways societies organize their military forces have always dictated the resilience and form of their governing institutions throughout European history.
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Joe Lonsdale One of my favorite books was a shield of Achilles, which is like this thousandpage book on constitutional g… 1
“One of my favorite books was a shield of Achilles, which is like this thousandpage book on constitutional government in Europe and it shows how every time there's like a new form of warfare that's best.”