Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
War summary
How Conflict Shaped Us
25 mins
Brief summary
"War" by Margaret MacMillan is a historical analysis of the causes, conduct and consequences of war. It not only explores famous battles but also the impact of war on society, politics, and culture.
Table of Contents
War
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Humans have always made war – and we may be genetically programmed to do so.
Nestled in the Swiss alps is the quaint town of Bolzano. One of its major attractions is Ötzi, otherwise known as the Iceman. Ötzi is the mummified corpse of a man who lived around 3300 BC, well before the Great Pyramids were constructed in Egypt or Stonehenge was built in ancient Britain.
How did Ötzi die? At first, archaeologists thought that he’d gotten lost in the mountains and frozen to death. But eventually they discovered something very different: Ötzi’s body was covered in cuts and bruises, and an arrowhead stuck out from his shoulder. His own knife and arrowheads had blood on them. So it seems Ötzi died in a fight.
His story shows that humans have been wounding and killing each other since at least the later Stone Age. But why?
The key message here is: Humans have always made war – and we may be genetically programmed to do so.
For decades, scientists believed that early humans lived peaceful, nomadic hunter-gatherer lives. But now, researchers are almost certain that organized, armed conflict has always been part of our existence.
Does that mean war is encoded in our biology? Are we genetically programmed to fight? To discover the answer to that question, scientists have studied chimpanzees and bonobos – humans’ closest genetic relatives.
What they’ve found is, unfortunately, inconclusive. On the one hand, chimps can be quite violent. They start deadly conflicts with little or no provocation. The bonobos, on the other hand, are seemingly much more peaceful. When two bonobos first meet, for instance, they gaze at one another, share food, and embrace rather than attack.
So which one is more like us? The answer may be neither. That’s because, as history clearly shows, humans are capable of both extreme violence and far-reaching cooperation.
We’re still driven by the same evolutionary forces that shaped our species at the dawn of humanity. Some of them – like the desire for food – can make us violent. But we have also, in a sense, domesticated ourselves. We can choose not to go to war, or we can go to war in service of more abstract ideas, like honor or religion.
Let’s dive a little deeper into reasons for war.
Want to see all full key ideas from War?
Key ideas in War
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is War about?
War (2020) is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of human conflict. It considers war from different angles, examining what causes it, how we think about it, and how it affects us. By making an effort to understand war, we become better prepared to avoid it.
War Review
War by Margaret MacMillan (2014) offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex history and nature of war, compelling readers to delve into its intricacies. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With meticulous research and analysis, the book sheds light on the causes, conduct, and consequences of war, providing a deeper understanding of this enduring human phenomenon.
- Through vivid storytelling and personal accounts, MacMillan brings history to life, making the book engaging and insightful.
- By examining different perspectives and reflecting on the role of individuals and societies, the book forces readers to contemplate war's impact on humanity, making it thought-provoking and relevant.
Best quote from War
Nationalism provided the passion for war, the Industrial Revolution the tools, and the changes in society the bodies to fight . . . .
—Margaret MacMillan
Who should read War?
- Students of international and military history
- People interested in cultural and philosophical differences
- Anyone fascinated or affected by human conflict
Categories with War
Book summaries like War
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
35 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
War FAQs
What is the main message of War?
The main message of War is a thought-provoking exploration of the causes and consequences of warfare.
How long does it take to read War?
The reading time for War varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is War a good book? Is it worth reading?
War is a captivating book that offers valuable insights into the history of conflicts. It is definitely worth reading for anyone interested in understanding the complex nature of war.
Who is the author of War?
The author of War is Margaret MacMillan.
What to read after War?
If you're wondering what to read next after War, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Wuhan Diary by Fang Fang
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- Workstyle by Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst
- What Kind of Creatures Are We? by Noam Chomsky
- Destined for War by Graham Allison
- The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan
- Shape by Jordan Ellenberg
- The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman
- The Art of Explanation by Ros Atkins
- Either/Or by Soren Kierkegaard