Carnage and Culture

In "Carnage and Culture," Victor Davis Hanson explores nine pivotal battles from history, including the Battle of Salamis and the Tet Offensive, to analyze the unique effectiveness of Western armies. Rather than attributing their success to geography or technology, Hanson emphasizes the influence of Western cultural values—such as dissent, inventiveness, and citizenship—on military efficacy. Through engaging battle narratives and a nuanced perspective, he illustrates how the cultural context of an army plays a critical role in its performance and advantages.