Making Sense of Violence: Intellectuals, Writers, and Modern Warfare

This book explores how authors represent modern war, rejecting the idea that violence is a denial of reason or a pathological form of collective sadism. It considers violence as a cultural act shaped by shared norms and values and attempts to depict and render intelligible the unprecedented reality of modern warfare through recourse to familiar elements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive exploration delves into the multifaceted representations of modern warfare, employing a rigorous analytical approach to scrutinize a wide array of textual sources. By examining the intricate relationships between authors and the gruesome realities of war, it challenges the notion that violence can be reduced to mere irrationality or, at most, a pathological manifestation of collective sadism. Instead, the book posits that violence is a culturally embedded phenomenon, shaped by a complex web of shared norms and values that evolve within a particular society at a specific historical juncture. Traditional vocabulary and language often fail to adequately capture the profound experiences of soldiers engaged in modern warfare. Consequently, writers face the challenge of depicting and conveying the unprecedented nature of this reality through familiar frameworks.

For certain historians and literary critics, the absurdity of the First World War has left an indelible mark on our interpretation of the entire twentieth century. It has shaped our ironic and disillusioned perspective, prompting us to view the world with a sense of detachment and skepticism. However, these coping mechanisms, while valuable in expressing inexpressible feelings and emotions, often fall short in reconciling the incoherence of the sentiments experienced and the events witnessed.

The contributors to this volume endeavor to address the critical questions and issues raised by the diverse perspectives, texts, and representations examined within its pages. Their insights and analyses shed light on the complexities and contradictions inherent in the representations of modern warfare, providing a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges and complexities of this global phenomenon.

Originally published as a special issue of the esteemed journal European Review of History: Revue Européenne dHistoire, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of military history and cultural studies. It encourages readers to engage with the complex and often conflicting narratives surrounding war, challenging them to consider the broader societal implications of these representations and the impact they have on our understanding of conflict and its consequences.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367534189