Military historian Gwynne Dyer presents a concise yet comprehensive historical account of the phenomenon of war from its beginnings in primitive societies to the nuclear age. The book reviews the development of tactics, weapons, and strategies throughout the ages, but primarily focuses on the cultural and social dimension of war. Dyer analyzes how war became an entrenched institution in human civilization, and how its nature and function changed over time. This work is an excellent and condensed introduction to understanding the history of the most destructive phenomenon in human history.