With armed conflict in the Persian Gulf now upon us, Harvard archaeologist Steven LeBlanc takes a long-term view of the nature and roots of war, presenting a controversial thesis: The notion of the "noble savage" living in peace with one another and in harmony with nature is a fantasy. In Constant Battles: The Myth of the Peaceful, Noble Savage, LeBlanc contends that warfare and violent conflict have existed throughout human history, and that humans have never lived in ecological balance with nature. The start of the second major U.S. military action in the Persian Gulf, combined with regular headlines about spiraling environmental destruction, would tempt anyone to conclude that humankind is fast approaching a catastrophic end. But as LeBlanc brilliantly argues, the archaeological record shows that the warfare and ecological destruction we find today fit into patterns of human behavior that have gone on for millions of years. Constant Battles surveys human history in terms of social organization-from hunter gatherers, to tribal agriculturalists, to more complex societies. LeBlanc takes the reader on his own digs around the world -- from New Guinea to the Southwestern U.S. to Turkey -- to show how he has come to discover warfare everywhere at every time. His own fieldwork combined with his archaeological, ethnographic, and historical research, presents a riveting account of how, throughout human history, people always have outgrown the carrying capacity of their environment, which has led to war. Ultimately, though, LeBlanc's point of view is reassuring and optimistic. As he explains the roots of warfare in human history, he also demonstrates that warfare today has far less impact than it did in the past. He also argues that, as awareness of these patterns and the advantages of modern technology increase, so does our ability to avoid war in the future.

The author argues that warfare has been a part of human existence throughout history, and considers whether humans are doomed by genetic heritage to fight each other.

The town of Ypres lies in a sort of natural basin formed by a maritime plain intersected by canals, and dominated on the north, north-east and south by low wooded hills. These canals, of which the Yser Canal is the most important, follow a general direction south-east—north-west. A number of streams flowing in the same direction also water the plain. In addition, there are the Dickebusch, Zillebeke and Bellewaarde ponds. The hills forming the sides of this basin are very low and partly wooded. The line of their crests runs approximately from north to south, through Houthulst Forest (road from Poelcappelle to Clercken), Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Broodseinde, Becelaere, Gheluvelt, the strategic Hill 60 (south of Zillebeke) and St. Eloi. Further south is the Messines-Wytschaete ridge, and to the south-west the Hills of Flanders. Houthulst Forest is the largest of the woods. Next come the islets of Westroosebeke and Passchendaele, then, south of Zonnebeke, Polygone Wood, Nonne-Bosschen (or Nonnes) Wood, and the Woods of Glencorse, Inverness and Herenthage. In this region, with its essentially maritime climate, the war assumed a character entirely different from that of the rest of the front. The marshy ground, almost at sea-level, is further sodden by constant rain and mists, and forms a spongy mass, in which it was impossible to dig trenches or underground shelters. Water is found immediately below the surface, so that the only possible defence-works were parapets. The bursting shells made huge craters which, promptly filling with water, became so many death-traps for wounded and unwounded alike. The defence on both sides consequently centred around the woods, villages, and numerous farms, which were converted into redoubts with concrete blockhouses and deep wire entanglements. The slightest bits of rising ground here played an important part, and were fiercely disputed. The crests which dominate the basin of Ypres were used as observation-posts—the lowering sky being usually unfavourable for aerial observation—while their counter-slopes masked the concentrations of troops for the attacks. It was therefore along the line of crests and around the fortified farms that the fighting reached its maximum of intensity. The principal military operations which took place in the vicinity of the town between October, 1914, and November, 1917, may be divided as follows:—First, a powerful German offensive—a counter-stroke to the battles of the Yser—then a very definite effort to take the town. The rôle of the Allied armies was at that time purely defensive. The second stage was marked by a British and Franco-British offensive, begun in the second half of 1916 and considerably developed during the summer and autumn of the following year. The object of these operations, which ended in November, 1917, was the clearing of Ypres. All the objectives were attained and the plains of Flanders were opened to the Allies. A final effort by the Germans in great strength to the south of the town was checked by the resistance of the Allies in April, 1918. In September and October, 1918, the enemy troops finally evacuated the country under pressure of the victorious Allied offensive.

Ypres and the Battles of Ypres is a meticulously curated anthology that draws together a diverse array of perspectives on one of the most devastating series of battles during World War I. Through a variety of literary styles, including diaries, letters, and reflective essays, this collection offers a granular insight into the human, strategic, and geopolitical dimensions of the conflict. The compilation not only contextualizes the significance of Ypres within the larger tapestry of the Great War but also highlights the personal toll and the broader implications of industrialized warfare. By weaving together narratives from combatants, civilians, and strategists, the anthology presents a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of the battles that shaped the course of twentieth-century history. The inclusion of contributions by Pneu Michelin, an entity more commonly associated with tire manufacturing than literary endeavors, adds a unique dimension to the collection, offering a blend of technical insight and poignant reflection. The backgrounds of the contributing authors and editors are as varied as the pieces themselves, encompassing a wide range of nationalities, professions, and experiences. This diversity enriches the anthology, providing a layered understanding of the complexity of Ypres. The collections alignment with historical and literary movements related to the Great War underscores the enduring relevance of these accounts. By bringing together voices from different segments of society, Ypres and the Battles of Ypres bridges the gap between academic scholarship and personal narrative, offering a multifaceted view that challenges monolithic interpretations of war. Ypres and the Battles of Ypres is an essential read for anyone interested in the intricacies of World War I, the evolution of modern warfare, or the power of personal narrative in historical documentation. This anthology offers readers a unique opportunity to engage with the battles of Ypres through a rich tapestry of perspectives, contributing to a deeper understanding of the wars impact on individuals and nations alike. It invites a scholarly and general audience alike to explore the multifarious effects of the conflict, fostering an appreciation for the dialogue generated between the various authors works within the collection.

My book is an anthology of various battles fought in Texas from the year 1758 to 1874. The manuscript is directed at readers who have an interest in Texas or military history. I chose those battles I believe had the most dramatic impact on the course of Texas history. As a military historian, I focused on critical decisions by individual commanders. As much as possible, I tried to use the Battle Analysis System developed by the US Army Command and General Staff College to look at all aspects of a military engagement (strategy, leadership, weather and terrain, etc.) and how these influenced the battle.