Azar Gat, Ezer Weitzman Professor of National Security, Tel Aviv University

Azar Gat is Ezer Weitzman Professor of National Security in the School of Political Science, Government, and International Affairs at Tel Aviv University. His most recent books include: Victorious and Vulnerable: Why Democracy Won in the 20th Century and How It is still Imperiled (Hoover, 2010); and Nations: The Long History and Deep Roots of Political Ethnicity and Nationalism (CUP, 2013; with Alexander Yakobson). His War in Human Civilization (OUP, 2006) was named one of the best books of the year by the Times Literary Supplement. His books have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Greek, Turkish, and Hebrew.

"It would be a welcome addition to any military history or international relations syllabus lacking an accessible and thought-provoking text on the causes of war... Highly recommended" - CHOICE

"Gat's book is a very well-informed, well-argued and an agreeable to read discussion of the causes of war and the causes of the spread of peace. Though primarily of interest to political theorists working on the subject of war, it may also be of interest to philosopher working on the question of war, especially to philosophers who, rather than engaging in ever more sophisticated thought-experiments, prefer to develop a more general philosophical theory of war." - Norbert Campagna, Ethical Perspectives

"Azar Gat is among the most brilliant of historians of war, with a masterful command of history and biology, and a gift for combining them to provide deep and revelatory insight. War has long been considered an enigma of the human condition, but after reading this book you will feel that you understand it." - Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works and The Better Angels of Our Nature

"Exhilarating - it makes clear and brave statements rather than hedging contentious matters..." - Sir Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford