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War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning (Paperback)

by Chris Hedges (Author) "When our own nation is at war with any other, we detest them under the character of cruel, perfidious, unjust and violent: But always esteem..." (more)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
List Price: CDN$ 18.95
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War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning + Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle + American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America
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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

"The communal march against an enemy generates a warm, unfamiliar bond with our neighbors, our community, our nation, wiping out unsettling undercurrents of alienation and dislocation," writes Chris Hedges, a foreign correspondent for the New York Times. In War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, Hedges draws on his experiences covering conflicts in Bosnia, El Salvador and Israel as well as works of literature from the Iliad to Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism to look at what makes war so intoxicating for soldiers, politicians and ordinary citizens. He discusses outbreaks of nationalism, the wartime silencing of intellectuals and artists, the ways in which even a supposedly skeptical press glorifies the battlefield and other universal features of war, arguing not for pacifism but for responsibility and humility on the part of those who wage war.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


From Library Journal

This moving book examines the continuing appeal of war to the human psyche. Veteran New York Times correspondent Hedges argues that, to many people, war provides a purpose for living; it seems to allow the individual to rise above regular life and perhaps participate in a noble cause. Having identified this myth, Hedges then explodes it by showing the brutality of modern war, using examples taken from his own experiences as a war correspondent in Latin America, the Middle East, and the Balkans. These examples highlight the devastating effects of war on life, community, and culture and its corruption of business and government. Hedges is not a pacifist, acknowledging that people need to battle evil, but he thoughtfully cautions us against accepting the accompanying myths of war. This should be required reading in this post-9/11 world as we debate the possibility of war with Iraq. For all libraries.
Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Lib., Parkersburg
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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When our own nation is at war with any other, we detest them under the character of cruel, perfidious, unjust and violent: But always esteem ourselves and allies equitable, moderate, and merciful. Read the first page
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49% buy the item featured on this page:
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Customer Reviews

47 Reviews
5 star:
 (23)
4 star:
 (11)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (7)
1 star:
 (5)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (47 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most helpful customer reviews

 
4.0 out of 5 stars getting the message through, Jul 8 2004
By Ellen J. Rocco (richville, ny United States) - See all my reviews
While the book is imperfect (other reviewers have, I believe, accurately noted the limited analytical material), it is very accessible, easily read, hits key points about the human propensity to make war, and articulates some of the elements that characterize all wars--plus, his spiels about the addictive nature of war are compelling, palpable. I could feel the adrenalin rush...I have shared this book with many friends and acquaintances precisely because it is so readable. It is a reminder to all of us--regardless of our political persuasion--about the mindset that takes over when a nation goes to war. I don't think we can hear too many such reminders.
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2.0 out of 5 stars Lacking analytical insight, Jun 28 2004
By 24fps "sourjerk" (BROOKLYN, NY United States) - See all my reviews
While the title of Hedge's book, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, may have truth to it, he ultimately fails to give his book meaning by choosing a few trite points and reiterating them over and over again until the reader realizes this book is not going anywhere.

What we get is the usual rhetoric on the perils of nationalism and the silencing of the intellectual/artistic community during war time. Also, a large focus is placed on the human cost of war...with the usual, "if you haven't been in a war you have no idea what it's about." Pretty condenscending, especially since Hedges ardently tries to convince us of the devastation of war but then goes on to say "we'll never know what it's about."

The best parts of the book are the anecdotes of his experiences; when he gets preachy though, the book gets pretty awful pretty quick. I recomend "My War Gone By I Miss It So" by Anthony Lloyd over this book because it's far less preachy and his personal story is a lot more captivating and revealing.

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4.0 out of 5 stars War is hell, Jun 24 2004
By Glenn Miller (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Plain and simple. There's no getting around it. No sentimentalizing over it. No being nostalgic about it. It's hell. And Hedges does a terrific job examing its "appeal" to the human race. This isn't a fun read, by any stretch of the imagination. Hedges describes atrocities he has witnessed throughout the world, but primarily in Kosova. War turns us into some form of sub-human species, but yet so many veterans refer to their time in a combat zone as the time they were the most alive. Our leaders sell us on the notion of war much like Madison Avenue sells us on the appeal of the latest toothpaste. At a certain point, we may wise up, but by then, it will no doubt be too late. We'll have destroyed ourselves. Hedges' book should be read by every member of Congress prior to giving any approval to an adventurous President's plans.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Shook me to the core
Although I agree Hedges can become tangential, I must say every word he pours into the book is written with deep heart and honest intent. Read more
Published on Jun 26 2004 by Carla C. Zanoni

5.0 out of 5 stars War is a drug, and humans are addicted
There are many standard answers to the question, "why do people go to war": economics; ethnic/religious differences; conflicts between radically different secular ideologies or... Read more
Published on May 23 2004 by L. Feld

4.0 out of 5 stars War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning
WAR IS A FORCE THAT GIVES US MEANING

Hedges chronicles the agony of war as he has experienced it; the horror, destruction, inevitable abuse and justifications. Read more

Published on May 14 2004 by M. Riediger

5.0 out of 5 stars Both hawks and doves beware: this book will change you
This is powerful stuff. Whether you think yourself a hawk or a dove, you'll never feel the same about the fanfare of war. Read more
Published on Jan 3 2004 by TLynnW

2.0 out of 5 stars Hypocrisy Incarnate
Having made a good living covering--and ENJOYING ("I was an addict")--war for several decades, Hedges now chooses to preach to us as a "pacifist. Read more
Published on Dec 19 2003 by Gordon Inkeles

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, disturbing, important.
This is a must read, especially in these terrible times. I read this in nearly one sitting - couldn't put it down, even as disturbing and usettling as it was. Read more
Published on Nov 27 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars Books Like Hedges' and Vidal's Say Nothing About War
What IS war, really? Is it a "force of nature," like the wind and rain? Like a hurricane or tornado? Read more
Published on Nov 19 2003 by Michael F. Altfeld

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this book
Hedges opened my eyes to the inevitable role a nation's martial mythology has on its soldiers. I am grateful he wrote this. Read more
Published on Nov 12 2003 by A. Vicente

2.0 out of 5 stars A good read, but don't take it seriously.
Chris Hedges certainly offers some insight into how society reacts to war or how war is manipulated by different societies. Read more
Published on Nov 11 2003 by TrezKu13

5.0 out of 5 stars The real story about war
Chris is a journalist and war correspondent. He's covered
many of the bloodiest conflicts in the last 15-20 years. Read more
Published on Oct 5 2003 by Paul Kinzelman

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