Why War? review: Richard Overy’s powerful new book shows why it’s so important to understand war

Why War?
Richard Overy (Pelican (UK), W. W. Norton (US))

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s military incursions in Gaza, civil wars in Sudan and Myanmar, tens of thousands killed, millions displaced and global military spending standing at $2.4 trillion in 2023 alone.

This persistence of war both defies and demands explanation. Many have tried. Albert Einstein felt driven to seek an (ultimately inconclusive) written exchange with Sigmund Freud on the subject, published as Why War? A number of books have since shared this title, the…