--- product_id: 71197115 title: "Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power" brand: "victor davis hanson" price: "40568CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71197115-carnage-and-culture-landmark-battles-in-the-rise-to-western store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power **Brand:** victor davis hanson **Price:** 40568CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power by victor davis hanson - **How much does it cost?** 40568CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71197115-carnage-and-culture-landmark-battles-in-the-rise-to-western) ## Best For - victor davis hanson enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted victor davis hanson brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Examining nine landmark battles from ancient to modern times--from Salamis, where outnumbered Greeks devastated the slave army of Xerxes, to Cortes's 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. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 1,291 in Cultural Events | | Dimensions | 13.2 x 2.9 x 20.2 cm | | Edition | Illustrated | | Isbn 10 | 0385720386 | | Isbn 13 | 978-0385720380 | | Item Weight | 437 g | | Language | English | | Print Length | 544 pages | | Publication Date | 27 Aug. 2002 | | Publisher | Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Div of Random House, Inc | ## Images ![Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61CwNq0Q+bL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A fabulous and thought provoking piece, by one of ... *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 16 May 2016* A fabulous and thought provoking piece, by one of the worlds foremost intellectuals. Most criticisms of it him merely reflect individual biases and not the breadth of knowledge contained within this worthy tome. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A bit repetitive in places; I think Hanson ought ... *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 28 January 2015* A bit repetitive in places; I think Hanson ought to credit his readership with the intelligence to understand his points more quickly, but an interesting thesis nonetheless. His analysis of several ancient battles and the societies that were involved seems sound. I am less sure of his predictions of future western military domination in an era where technology trumps discipline and ideals. I rate the work heavily because it is interesting and thought-provoking. ### ⭐⭐⭐ A valuable insight, even if limited *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 12 July 2002* Although Hanson logically explains the world domination by European powers for the past 500 years and foreseeable future, his brilliant basic argument is seriously undercut by his right-wing nonsense. He attributes military success to the inherent individualism of a free society; he ignores the fundamental element of a free society, the ability of people to trust each other without the need for police and other regulatory enforcers.It's worth reading, nonetheless.Basically, he argues that individualism, rationalism and personal initiative of a free people are the keys to European success. It's an absolutely valid thesis; unfortunately, he didn't include the equally vital discipline, personal responsibility and willing obedience. Yet, it's easy enough to overlook his flaws and focus on his main theme that specific cultural traits make the vital difference.Basically, Hanson argues that European individualism has its roots in classical Greek democracy. His weakness is not knowing why such democracy arose in Greece, just as a similar fierce democracy arose in Scandinavia. Not knowing "why" matters, but it doesn't take away from his basic emphasis on personal freedom and responsibility.Actually, two key factors explain European success. First is the willing acceptance of discipline needed for a united cause; second is the personal initiative to come up with aa good alternative if the first element fails. These principles apply to all elements of a free society. Great warrior societies perish, great commercial societies vanish, and great religions die. Enduring societies produce guns, butter and prayers.Freedom works, because people with free choice volunteer to vigorously defend their societies. People who are free to choose achieve far more than those who are coerced or drafted. This applies to war as well as economics, religion, politics, the arts and justice. Hanson limits his examples to war, which is the great weakness of his book.Strangely enough, Hanson laments ". . . some key ingredients of traditional Western warfare appear to be all but gone. Mercenary armies in America and Europe are the norm." It's an odd comment on today's voluntary, well-paid and highly professional US military, compared to the conscription of draftees in the past.However, the fundamental basis of a free society is trust. It applies to business, which is why Enron, WorldCom, Tyco and Halliburton are such distressing symbols of greed over honesty. In analyzing the Tet Offensive of 1968, Hanson blames "liberals" for the American loss of Vietnam. He doesn't seem to understand that it was the public loss of trust in the military and political leadership of the 1960s that brought defeat. In 1944, the Battle of the Bulge was a similarly rude shock for Western society which expected the war to be over before Christmas - - - but, in those days politicians and generals were trusted.Ignoring such elements of a free society constitute major flaws in this book. But, it doesn't undermine the basic premise that certain basic cultural values give Western society an unprecedented military and economic advantage for the past several hundred years. Ours is a confrontational society based on competition in business, an adversarial legal system, a win-lose political debate rather than compromise and mediation, and a system of checks and balance on the use of political and economic authority.Those qualities made Western society into the world's superpower. It's time to look at 5,000 years of history to examine qualities that created earlier dominance in war, economics or religion. We tend to think of Western society as the pinnacle of material and spiritual achievement, as all previous societies thought of their accomplishments. Surely one lesson of history is that the qualities which create success are not those which sustain it.Hanson is well worth reading for his one-note theory of modern power -- he says it is the Western knack for killing. It is much more. There is a whole quilt of qualities, not merely one little blood-soaked patchwork piece. He offers a nice first step in understanding the worldwide acceptance of current European values -- but, he ignores many other elements that create the whole patchwork quilt.The greatest danger to our freedom comes from absolutist dogma such as Hanson's assertion, "Western civilization has given mankind the only economic system that works . . . . . " Egypt under the Pharaohs was the longest surviving and wealthiest society of its era -- which collapsed because it could not accept change. Our society is scarcely the only one that works -- though it may well be the best for modern times. Hanson needs to look beyond his own cloistered little ivory tower to see the beauty of other societies.Fortunately, a free society is a process of continual change. Unlike past nations, which enshrined a conservative heritage of tradition rather than accept change, Western society will likely continue to evolve to meet and match ever-changing conditions. Hanson aptly shows one reason why. But, there are many more reasons it is so. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71197115-carnage-and-culture-landmark-battles-in-the-rise-to-western](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71197115-carnage-and-culture-landmark-battles-in-the-rise-to-western) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-09-14*