
First Strike
Preemptive War in Modern History
Matthew J. Flynn(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 5. May 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-415-95845-5 (ISBN)
Description
Preemptive warfare is the practice of attempting to avoid an enemy's seemingly imminent attack by taking military action against them first. It is undertaken in self-defense. Preemptive war is often confused with preventive war, which is an attack launched to defeat a potential opponent and is an act of aggression. Preemptive war is thought to be justified and honorable, while preventive war violates international law. In the real world, the distinction between the two is highly contested.
In First Strike, Matthew J. Flynn examines case studies of preemptive war throughout history, from Napoleonic France to the American Civil War, and from Hitler's Germany to the recent U.S. invasion of Iraq. Flynn takes an analytical look at the international use of military and political preemption throughout the last two hundred years of western history, to show how George W. Bush's recent use of this dubiously "honorable" way of making war is really just the latest of a long line of previously failed attempts.
Balanced and historically grounded, First Strike provides a comprehensive history of one of the most controversial military strategies in the history of international foreign policy.
In First Strike, Matthew J. Flynn examines case studies of preemptive war throughout history, from Napoleonic France to the American Civil War, and from Hitler's Germany to the recent U.S. invasion of Iraq. Flynn takes an analytical look at the international use of military and political preemption throughout the last two hundred years of western history, to show how George W. Bush's recent use of this dubiously "honorable" way of making war is really just the latest of a long line of previously failed attempts.
Balanced and historically grounded, First Strike provides a comprehensive history of one of the most controversial military strategies in the history of international foreign policy.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
369 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-95845-5 (9780415958455)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2008
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

E-Book
07/2008
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

Book
05/2008
1st Edition
Routledge
€193.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Matthew J. Flynn is Assistant Professor of twentieth century military and U.S. diplomatic history at Arizona State University's Department of Language, Cultures, and History. He is the author of China Contested: Western Powers in East Asia.
Content
Introduction 1. The Seven Streams: Napoleon Moves on Vienna, 1805 2. Preserving a Way of Life: The War Between the States, 1861 3. Imperial Hegemony: The Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905 4. Trapped into War: Imperial Germany and the Great War in Europe, 1914 5. A Question of Survival: National Socialism Takes Germany to War, 1939 6. Choosing Enemies: Japan Accepts the US Challenge for War, 1941 7. The Soviet Monroe Doctrine: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939 8. Fighting on Ground of its Own Choosing: The PRC Opts for War in Korea, 1950 9. Being Everywhere at Once: Israel Defeats the Arab League, 1967 10. A Dangerous Simplicity: The American Preemptive War in Iraq, 2003. Conclusion: Preemptive Doctrine: The Weight of History, Limited Returns