Greece and the Cold War

"This book examines the influence of ideas of honour on the causes, conduct, and ending of wars from Ancient Greece to the present day. Opening with a theoretical examination of the concept of honour, it explains the many contradictions and tensions inherent within honour systems, as honour has often paradoxical effects on the conduct of war. Using a wealth of sources including original archival research and interviews with serving military officers, Paul Robinson then illustrates this thesis through seven case studies: Classical Greece; Ancient Rome; mediaeval chivalry; Elizabethan England; the American Civil War; the British Empire; and the Western world after the Second World War (including the Vietnam War and the current conflict in Iraq). Highlighting both the differences and similarities between the various eras the author shows that honour has played an important and complex role in the ignition, conduct and end of wars throughout history and how it remains a vital influence on modern warfare." "This volume will be of interest to studens of military history, military ethics, security studies, and international relations."--Jacket.