war and society

In August 1914, the German army invaded neutral Belgium, the world's sixth-ranked industrial power and Europe's second-oldest democracy, violating an 1839 treaty that the German chancellor dismissed as a "scrap of paper". The invaders terrorized and shot thousands of civilians, looted and burned scores of towns, and reduced the once major industrial power to a nonentity. Belgium was a forerunner to Nazi Europe but the Allies were afraid to confront Germany. The author suggests that had they done so, Europe's reaction to the rise of Nazi Germany might have taken a different course.

Describes the day-to-day experiences of civilians living in Europe during the twentieth century, and focuses on the challenges and sacrifices men, women, and children face in times of war.

The author provides an account of life in Sierra Leona at the end of the civil war that raged in the country for eleven years, told from his viewpoint as an outsider who had spent some time in the country years earlier, as well as the perspective of Sewa Bockarie Marah, a leader in the People's Party.

A critical interpretation of the way the United States has waged war on and responded to terrorism.

Discusses the major social, political, and technological changes that occurred in the United States as a result of various wars from the Revolution to the Gulf War.

Explores questions of how viewers are affected by photographs of violence and war, considering whether the onslaught of images serves to evoke sympathy, inspire action, or eventually makes people indifferent to the suffering of others.

Ora, a middle-aged Israeli mother, is horrified when her son Ofer, due to be released from the service, is instead sent to the front for a major offensive, and in an effort to avoid bad news, she impulsively sets out on a hike to Galilee, taking along her former lover Avram, a recluse since his own stint in the military, and keeps Ofer very much alive by telling Avram the story of the young man's life.