War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
by Chris Hedges · first published 2002
79% recommend21% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Frank examines the psychological pull of war, exploring why its glamour and sense of purpose are so seductive. It offers a clear, unsentimental perspective, especially useful for those who romanticize combat.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"Drawing on the literature of combat, from Homer and Shakespeare to Erich Maria Remarque and Michael Herr, Hedges shows how human beings are conditioned to embrace what he calls "the myth of war" - the idea that combat is noble, selfless, and glorious. And yet if human history is any guide, nations and imperiums have stumbled and even fallen when they believed the myths peddled about war and about themselves. The reality of war, which Hedges knows first-hand, is about the destruction of culture, the perversion of human desire, and the embrace, ultimately, of death over life."--BOOK JACKET.
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…Meter & Poetic Form, but for different reasons. Other books in the same vein: - The Warriors: Reflections on Men in Battle by J Glenn Gray (Gray was a philosophy PhD and a 2nd Lieutenant in the war) - War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges (Hedges was a war correspondent during the balkans and numerous other conflicts, this is much more interested in the psychological build up to war in common society, and its effects on…
on “The Real War 1939-1945 (1989)” ↗…am really curious about what you would tell them what they should have done to not become a target for you. Would recommend a sober look in the mirror as well as maybe getting a copy of Chris Hedges "War is a force that gives us meaning". The "there are no innocence in war" is a textbook warcry right out of conflicts like Yugoslav one. Its the tactical dehumanization of the enemy. To have a one dimensional caricature to rally people…
_The Myth of Certainty_ by Daniel Taylor _Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing_ by Soren Kierkegaard _The Invisible Computer_ by Donald Norman _Death March_ by Edward Yourdon _War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning_ by Chris Hedges _What Do You Care What Other People Think?_ by Richard P. Feynman
on “Ask HN: What books have helped make who you are today?” ↗This reminds me, in Chris Hedges' book War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning, there is a great section on why everyone always hates reality-based thinkers. Essentially before and during when the war crimes (or whatever) are being committed, everyone hates the truth-tellers because…
on “AMA with Barack Obama” ↗…things is not broached, generally. Consider the media frenzy a little while ago regarding the (minor) re-wording of the Pledge of Allegiance, as said in grade schools. Having just finished Chris Hedges' "War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning", I will also vouch that main-stream US media is largely bereft of this level of unflinching critical discourse. I'm somewhat heartened to see this article appearing on NYTimes.com. The core of the message,…
An interesting take on war from a semi-modern perspective is _War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning_ by Chris Hedges.
on “How America Fractured in 1968” ↗…Marketers are Liars & Free Prize Inside by Seth Godin. All of the books that Seth recommends are also worth reading. Bruce Schneier's interview on ITConversations Magic Ink, an essay by Bret Victor War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges The Cluetrain Manifesto (the book) I'm sure there's a lot more, but that's what comes to mind right now.
on “Articles, Ideas, Books and/or Concepts that have changed your life” ↗FYI this was written by Chris Hedges, the same guy who wrote the book War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning. I only mention it because it's a really good book. That said, his literacy statistics come from Gatto's analysis for the 1993 NALS, even though there was a new one released just a couple years ago.…
…imagination." In an ideal world Wikileaks wouldn't be necessary, but in the world we have it helps ameliorate the damage caused by our cognitive biases. Also, someone should really make Chris Hedges' book War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning into a movie.
on “WikiLeaks Posts Mysterious ‘Insurance’ File” ↗Most of us at times have felt patriotic or romantic perceptions of battle and war. In addition to this piece, Chris Hedges' "War is a force that gives us meaning", will help vaccinate you from such notions and manipulations. http://www.amazon.com/War-Force-that-Gives-Meaning/dp/140003...
on “The Real War 1939-1945, by Paul Fussell (1989)” ↗For a book that develops a similar thesis, see Chris Hedges' "War is a force that gives us meaning." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Is_a_Force_That_Gives_Us_Me...
on “Why Men Love War (1984)” ↗This. Chris Hedges has a whole book about this called War Is A Force that Gives Us Meaning. It's shouldn't be that difficult to understand, considering we spend all day every day interacting with these institutions, so it's disappointing to see so many otherwise intelligent people here who…
on “Immortality Begins at Forty” ↗All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (1929) War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges (2002)
on “Ask HN: Books to understand the Arab Israeli situation” ↗"War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning" is the best book on the psychological dimensions of war that I'm aware of.
on “Ask HN: good books about military strategy?” ↗Your comment, from the paradoxical longing part on, has a strong vibe of War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning [1]. I think that you might like it. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Is_a_Force_That_Gives_Us...
on “Japan was the future but it's stuck in the past” ↗