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The Shortest History of War by Gwynne Dyer
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The Shortest History of War

From Hunter-Gatherers to Nuclear Superpowers—A Retelling for Our Times

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Narrator Gareth Richards

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Length 6 hours 29 minutes
Language English
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War has always been a defining feature of human society. This new addition to the Shortest History series explains why we do it—and how we can stop.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has punctured the longest stretch of peace between major powers since WWII, bringing the horrors of warfare—past, present, and future—to the forefront of listeners' minds. In The Shortest History of War, internationally acclaimed historian Gwynne Dyer adds urgently needed context.

Dyer ably charts the evolution of violent conflict: tribal aggression, classical combat, limited war, total war, and cold war—followed by present-day terrorism, nuclear threats, and the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). His brilliant, brisk history is a harrowing must-listen for all who wonder: How will rival superpowers with unprecedented weapons shape the future of our interconnected world?

London-based Gwynne Dyer is a renowned journalist, columnist, broadcaster, and lecturer on international affairs. His documentary television series on the history of war was nominated for an Academy Award. His twice-weekly column on international affairs appears in 175 newspapers in forty-five countries and is translated into more than a dozen languages.

Gareth Richards has been narrating audiobooks for over three years in addition to performing on stage in projects as varied from Shakespeare to sketch shows. Being a native British speaker, he is experienced in a number of different dialects from around the British Isles and Ireland.

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