• Carnage and Culture

  • Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power
  • By: Victor Davis Hanson
  • Narrated by: Bob Souer
  • Length: 20 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (296 ratings)

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Carnage and Culture

By: Victor Davis Hanson
Narrated by: Bob Souer
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Publisher's summary

Examining nine landmark battles from ancient to modern times - from Salamis, where outnumbered Greeks devastated the slave army of Xerxes, to Cortes' conquest of Mexico to the Tet offensive - Victor Davis Hanson explains why the armies of the West have been the most lethal and effective of any fighting forces in the world.

Looking beyond popular explanations such as geography or superior technology, Hanson argues that it is in fact Western culture and values - the tradition of dissent, the value placed on inventiveness and adaptation, the concept of citizenship - which have consistently produced superior arms and soldiers. Offering riveting battle narratives and a balanced perspective that avoids simple triumphalism, Carnage and Culture demonstrates how armies cannot be separated from the cultures that produce them and explains why an army produced by a free culture will always have the advantage.

©2001 Victor Davis Hanson (P)2019 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Carnage and Culture

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I dare to say this is one of VDH's best!

History. If you enjoy history, especially about the Rise of Western Power and Dominance, Victor Davis Hanson never disappoints. The narrator is also very good. Highly recommended.

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Fantastic book!

Extremely interesting, as all if VDH's work is. Provides an understanding of why Western culture, originating with the Greeks and Romans, has had the success that it has.

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The WAY we are Because ....

World History from a Vantage Point.
EXCELLENT. SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR EVERY COLLEGE GRADUATE.

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great history!

will re-listen to on audible. excellent historical research deep dives into major battles and struggles

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Read this book!

More proof that The West is The Best! Great analysis and history! You won't be disappointed!

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Fact filled description of evolution of western warfare.

An excellent treatise that connects the western world in a way that makes clear the path to western current style of warfare and the basic tenants and values that make it possible.

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Great Compendium of Battles

I love VDH’s thought processes and insights. He brings together complexities into easy to understand and very relevant modern conclusions. It’s clear, given history back to the 400s BC, that America and the West need to fight for the First & Second Amendments (among others), free market capitalism, and the Constitution in order to benefit the world. Non-Westerners haven’t had these things and the people suffered because of it.

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Read this book

If you have any interest in military history at all you must read this book.

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Victor Davis Hanson is a treasure

One of the best writers and thinkers alive. Comprehensive look at select warfare and how democracies and free societies succeed and why. Highly recommended.

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Wow! This truly is a great book. A rarity!

Superbly researched and factually detailed with brilliant analyses of landmark battles. In a word: Brilliant!

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11 people found this helpful