War has always been a defining feature of human society. This new addition to the Shortest History series explains why we do it--and how we can stop. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has punctured the longest stretch of peace between major powers since WWII, bringing the horrors of warfare--past, present, and future--to the forefront of readers' minds. In The Shortest History of War, internationally acclaimed historian Gwynne Dyer adds urgently needed context. His brilliant, brisk history is a harrowing must-read for all who wonder: How will rival superpowers with unprecedented weapons shape the future of our interconnected world?