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Lawrence James has concentrated on the experience of the British at war and, whilst purists may find plenty with which to quibble,this book must be congratulated upon the breadth of it's coverage from the Romans until 2000. Had this book been written after 9/11, it would have been interesting to see the author's view as those tragic events make the ending of the book seem premature. Certainly Tony Blair's policy in Iraq would make good reading and, I suspect, prompt James' to make some typically thought-provoking comments. Unfortunately, this exclusion makes the book seem like something from another era.
The writing is fluid and full of obscure facts and statistics. Naturally, the Napoleonic era and WW1 dominate the book.
The section on medieval history is particularly good and James' research must be complimented. If you want to know how much it cost a knight to buy his armour and his horse, the information is in here. Soldiers talk to us about their fears and opinions of the wars they fought through the ages. For this reader, this was the strength of this book and makes for a compelling narrative.
This is complimented by fascinating statistics and accounts that challenge popular opinion. I particularly enjoyed the section on the Navy with it's insights into the success rates of surgeons.
My only reservations would be the lack of detail about the colonial wars between 1850 -1914 and the way the post 1945 appears to have been glossed over. Surely the British people's growing aversion to war merits comment ? I also think that the dates tended to jump around a bit in some sections.
This effort will appeal to the general reader of history who should not be put off by the volume of this book. The task that James' has set himself given the thoroughness with which he has carried out his research, is almost impossible. "Warrior Race" is a brave effort to evoke the Briton's perception of war as he fought in the British Isles, overeas, on the oceans and in the air against his foes.
It is in six parts: conquests 43-1100, disputed lands 1110-1603, civil wars 1637-1800, overseas wars 1660-1870, total war 1914-1919, and the people's wars 1919-2000. He constantly notes the forces' pay and conditions, and tells us how the fighting and killing must have felt.
Part I depicts the conquests by Romans, Vikings and Danes. Part II tells of the wars against Ireland, Wales and Scotland that determined Britain's shape. The hundred years' war against France (1337-1453) started with the early victory of Crecy, then slowly collapsed into military debacles abroad and spiralling debt and taxes at home. At this time, chivalric tales glamorised war, setting up the lasting themes of crusade and sacrifice, 'Church and King', 'king and country', and 'natural leaders' (public school prefect types) 'rallying the ranks'.
In Part III, James includes under 'civil wars' the American War of Independence and Ireland's 1798 rebellion, which were really national liberation wars against colonial oppression.
In Part IV, he tells us about the vast wars for empire: the second hundred years' war against France (1688-1815), the wars to seize and control India (1757-1858) and its North West frontier (1897-1924), the 64 years war to control China (1840-1904) and the South African (1879-1902) and North African wars (1882-1898). These cast some doubt on the slogan 'Pax Britannica'.
Part V looks at World War One, where James damns Earl Haig's reliance on attrition and 'fighting spirit'. Part VI examines World War Two and the many bloody retreats from Empire.
To finish he asks, 'What next?', answering 'further wars of intervention' and 'the wonders of the electronic battlefield'.
This brilliantly written and deeply researched account proves, possibly against the author's intentions, that capitalism means empire and empire means war. The ruling class alone gains from capitalism, empire and war. Our working class is not a warrior race, a nation of Ghurkhas; we are for industry and peace.
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