As a Civil War buff, I bought this book to get a better technical understanding of how the American Civil War started. Was it just a war over slavery? So many people say otherwise, and I couldn't think of any other war in history that really just had one reason. Thanks to the book, I now have a much better understanding of how post WWII civil wars start, how general wars and military actions in the same period happen, and-for my use-how the American Civil War started. The shortest version of this book is: 'Civil wars are caused by a number of factors-the largest of which is 'change''
Dr Walter gives outstanding historical examples and scenarios to prove her different points and to make them easier to understand. Her understanding of post WWII international conflict is, imo, the highest level.
I checked out the book from the local library first, then downloaded the kindle, then I bought a hardcover copy to mark up and flag and keep on the shelf. Finally, I bought a copy and had it sent to my father-in-law.
The book inspired a year of research into the 1850-1861 causes of the American Civil War, as well as the potential for a second American Civil War in the near future.
Herein, however, the book almost falls apart. About halfway through she gives up the academic discussion and switches to a politically progressive viewpoint of current events. She gives a detailed and well-supported illustration of how Trump supporters and famed MegaMaga Republicans are a threat to the govt and the world. The problem is that-unlike the first half where her illustrations are backed by history, in the second half her illustrations of a new civil war are backed in half truths and historical facts that have since been investigated and found to be historically false.
I tried to look past her second half in a way. She presented an aggrieved portion of Americans from the right, and while she did so I kept asking, "What about the left? They protest and burn cities and commit far more damage than the right ever has?" Here I shifted my thought process and when she would say something like "the Trump supporters did xyz" I would stop and ask myself, "What would the other side do in that sitation or if the roles were reversed.?" This thought exercise is what really led me to love the book. According to the reviews, her shift to partisan examples based on half truths and disproven allegations really upset people. It did make it hard to read, but I think to include descriptions of what both sides of the spectrum would do...would just take up too much space. Maybe in her next book?
DEFINITELY GET A COPY
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Popular Highlights in this book
Two variables—anocracy and factionalism—predicted better than anything else where civil wars were likely to break out.Highlighted by 1,284 Kindle readers- Experts call countries in this middle zone “anocracies”—they are neither full autocracies nor democracies but something in between.Highlighted by 1,206 Kindle readers
- For a decaying democracy, the risk of civil war increases almost the moment it becomes less democratic.Highlighted by 694 Kindle readers
About the author
Page torn in the middle of the book
Great book. Surprisingly there was a page on the middle torn out. Pages 145 and 146.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024
Top reviews from other countries
- MattiReviewed in Germany on June 22, 2024
Left leaning and a scarce for academic objectivity
So I am neither left nor right leaning, but I can clearly identify when someone is either of it. Here I was looking for analytical approach, academic, free of biases, just like John Mearsheimer e.g. but unfortunately I got again another book educating me that one political direction is better than another. She is describing Orban as undemocratic, but he won four times democratic elections three of which with constitutional majority.MattiLeft leaning and a scarce for academic objectivity
Reviewed in Germany on June 22, 2024
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Lizzie MReviewed in France on November 8, 2022
Endommagé
la couverture anti-poussière des livres est déchirée et endommagée, veuillez voir la photo. Par contre, le livre est arrivée la date promis.Lizzie MEndommagé
Reviewed in France on November 8, 2022
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