Geoffrey Blainey's The Causes of War is a classic study of why wars happen and why peace fails to endure. In this third edition, Blainey examines the historical patterns of international conflict, highlighting the factors of perception, miscalculation, balance of power, and national interests that often trigger war. The book also examines the relationship between optimism and the political deci…
John G. Stoessinger's Why Nations Go to War is a classic analysis of the factors that drive states to war. Using a case study approach, this fourth edition examines major conflicts of the 20th century and highlights the role of political leaders, misperceptions, miscalculations, and international dynamics as crucial factors underlying the outbreak of war. Stoessinger emphasizes that the decisio…