"We are at a moment in world affairs when the essential ideas that govern statecraft must change. For five centuries it has taken the resources of ...
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Jun 06, 2011
Steve
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Pulled out 'The Shield' recently and re-read some sections - Bobbitt is an interesting character, a constitutional lawyer and historian. I heard him speak at the Stanford Law and Ethics Forum a few weeks ago on 'Terror and Consent' which is also the title of his new book. The 'Shield' is of door-stop dimensions, but it had (for me) great value. He traces the dynamic, evolutionary relationship between the internal, constitutional order of states and the external challenges of strategy and war, be
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Sep 27, 2011
Patrick
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The Shield of Achilles by Philip Bobbit was an interesting look at the history and culture of war in western society. I basically focused on Book I: State of War. I didn’t have time to finish it since I was in SE Asia, and I haven’t decided whether or not to tackle Book II: States of Peace. Bobbit has an impressive knowledge of military innovation through strategy and technology. He is equally knowledgeable about constitutional law and its history. He presents an interesting analysis of what he
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Mar 11, 2010
Mike
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Sweeping . . . that's the best one-word review I can offer . . . just sweeping, as Dr. Bobbitt traces the basic history of the whole concept of the nation-state from inception to circa 2001. And he does so in prose that is as compelling as a novel in places, believe it or not. I started reading this book in 2004 in the midst of a horrible Floridian hurricane and found myself not wanting to put it down or leave my apartment. The chapter on Colonel House and his legacy in statecraft is worth the p
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Sep 23, 2010
David
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Well, I've finally finished this tome. I read this on the Amazon Kindle 3 (iPad and Touch as well) and this thing has 23,074 locations (get used to the new system it's the future...probably...because it is more accurate).
Achilles was a good book but not a great book. Problems for me were that it was over written, fractious, largely speculative, and somewhat dated (having mostly been written before 9/11).
Essentially it is two books rolled into one. Another of its pr More...
Achilles was a good book but not a great book. Problems for me were that it was over written, fractious, largely speculative, and somewhat dated (having mostly been written before 9/11).
Essentially it is two books rolled into one. Another of its pr More...
Jul 23, 2011
A bit of a slog, but worth it. An eye-opener for me. It's distressing to read so persuasive a prediction of nuclear weapons proliferation and that states are evolving away from their objective of improving citizens' welfare. On the other hand, do-good initiatives informed by his analysis will be more like to actually do good. Right after finishing this, I read about Kroll Inc., a very profitable international fraud busting company that seems the kind of organization necessary for Bobbitt's more
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Jun 30, 2011
The perfect book to take on a long train ride. Bobbitt's strength is in his ability to paint the Big Picture, specifically the evolution of the state, and how we're now passing into the era of the market state. He supports his thesis with a staggering mass of detail which I found somewhat problematical the farther back he went (Castlereagh the great visionary? Really? What about Talleyrand, and how a great deal of the face of modern Europe was proposed by him around the time of the Peace of Amie
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Feb 07, 2010
Dave
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If Schama's 'Citizens' is the best history book I've read with a narrow focus, this is the best one with a broader focus.
The weaknesses almost all lie in the 2nd half of the book, which is not as strong as the first. The chapter on House I felt could have been eliminated all together.
But the first half is so enriching and eye opening. So many things came together for me about the last 500 years of western history as I read this.
The weaknesses almost all lie in the 2nd half of the book, which is not as strong as the first. The chapter on House I felt could have been eliminated all together.
But the first half is so enriching and eye opening. So many things came together for me about the last 500 years of western history as I read this.
May 14, 2011
Joe
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If you think the 20th Century was basically a Long War that started in 1914 and ended in 1990, you will like this book. If you don't like history or law or legal history, you will hate this book. I read it will listening to "Gimme Shelter" over and over again. Seemed to fit.
Mar 31, 2010
Jack
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It has the potential to open and change your persepective if you can handle the scope and the depth of the work. One of the best books Ive ever picked up. If your interested in war and history give this book a try
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Jun 05, 2010
Baden
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Cool book. I'm currently reading about how the great treaties of the world have contributed our current international state: Augsburg, Westfallia, Peace of Paris, etc.
Dec 01, 2008
I'm reading a couple of chapters for the GWU Hour radio show. I don't know how soon I will get around to reading the rest of the book . . .
Feb 06, 2012
Colin
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The breadth and depth of this book is astonishing. Bobbitt explains why the 20th Century was one "Long War" fought between Fascism, Communism and Parliamentarism. The latter won.
But the more important point is the void created by the lack of the cold war, and how that confuses countries in terms of how to react to new problems of terror, dictators, food crises or even climate change.
Offers views on NATO, UN, EU etc.
Tough read with enormous detail in hi
But the more important point is the void created by the lack of the cold war, and how that confuses countries in terms of how to react to new problems of terror, dictators, food crises or even climate change.
Offers views on NATO, UN, EU etc.
Tough read with enormous detail in hi
Oct 14, 2008
Joshua
rated it:
After 347 pages I gave up. Bobbitt weaves together patterns in the history of military strategy, technology, world wars, diplomacy and constitutional law for 900 pages. Unfortunately, this book was too heavy for me read before falling off to sleep every night.
Jun 08, 2008
B. Hallward
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Although the author occasionally has some interesting ideas, he has the bad habit of mistaking assertion for argument, a chronic lack of evidence for his points and a rambling, badly-organized style of writing.
Nov 08, 2007
Dirk
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The scope of Bobbitt's work is as breathtaking as advertised, that the results aren't exactly revolutionary doesn't really mean this it isn't worth a read.
Oct 21, 2011
Kevin J.
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Professor Bobbitt's analysis of the junction between law and war was pretty profound. Full review to follow.
Jun 07, 2007
David
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If you want to know the course of western history then this is the book for you.
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