The Valor of Male And Female Warriors Around the World: Case Studies from History

by Robert B. Edgerton

Edgerton (anthropology, UCLA) studies courage and cowardice under fire in a range of situations, times and places, examining the quest for self-respect and the respect of others. He analyzes women in war from early battles in North Africa to structured colonial war and in sophisticated female air corps and infantries. He moves on to the courage of African warriors, especially the Zulus, and of soldiers in lost causes such as the Alamo, describes politically-based wars such as that of 1812, the ways in which combatants cope with domestically controversial wars, the noble resistance of those who could not believe they be conquered such as the Inca, the eventual cooperation of some who were conquered, such as soldiers of India, and those whose courage and resistance is primarily spiritual, such as is the case of Tibet. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an expensive book for what it is. Edgerton provides a 'compilation' of synopses of various wars and battles. He notes women have taken part in many wars and battles as combatants as well as active supporters. Yet the preponderance of writing is on the males involved in warfare. The author covers in very broad form the history of warfare through these synopses and includes essentially examples from all over the world. But writing a smattering on each of many wars and battles leaves one wondering why one continued reading the book.