10 books to make you understand the big historical conflicts

Here’s a diverse selection of well-regarded books that cover various major historical conflicts and provide deep insights into their causes, progressions, and impacts:

• “The Guns of August” by Barbara W. Tuchman – This Pulitzer Prize-winning book focuses on the first month of World War I, detailing how Europe descended into a devastating conflict.

• “The Peloponnesian War” by Donald Kagan – A modern classic, this book provides a detailed account of the ancient conflict between Athens and Sparta, drawing parallels with more modern wars.

• “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn – This book offers an alternate perspective on American history, focusing on the struggles of ordinary people against powerful interests, including various conflicts.

• “The Origins of the Second World War” by A.J.P. Taylor – A controversial and thought-provoking book that challenges traditional views on the causes of World War II.

• “Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945” by Tony Judt – This comprehensive overview of European history from the end of World War II to the early 21st century examines the political, social, and economic forces that shaped the continent.

• “The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined” by Steven Pinker – Pinker argues that despite the bloody history of the world, violence has actually declined over long periods of time, supported by statistical evidence and an examination of various conflicts.

• “The Cold War: A New History” by John Lewis Gaddis – This book offers a concise history of the Cold War, written by one of the leading historians in the field.

• “Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World” by Jack Weatherford – This book explores the Mongol conquests and their surprising role in catalyzing global trade and cultural exchange.

• “The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East” by Robert Fisk – Focusing on the Middle East, this book discusses the region’s modern conflicts and the historical roots of its ongoing struggles.

• “Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin” by Timothy Snyder – This book examines the tragedies that took place in the regions between Germany and Russia, which suffered immensely under both Hitler’s and Stalin’s regimes.

Each of these books provides a unique perspective on different conflicts, helping to build a rounded understanding of global history.