On War: Exploring why and how we fight

In On War: Exploring Why and How We Fight, war correspondent Stephen J. Thorne delves into what has been described as humankind’s greatest failure. Drawing on historical sources, accounts from veterans and his own experiences as a wire service reporter and photographer overseas, he explores conflict and war from multiple perspectives: how war is viewed from afar versus how it is up-close-and-personal; front-line myths and manipulations; backroom censorship and message control; the unique circumstances that cement lifetime bonds between brothers- and sisters-in-arms; the bitterness, sweetness, tragedies and triumphs of this most confounding element of the human condition.

252 pages

Hard cover, perfect bound, full colour

8-9/16” x 10-1/8”

English language

Publisher: Canvet Publications Ltd.

ISBN: 9781068948305

 

A native of Halifax, Thorne has been producing award-winning words and pictures for 40-plus years. He has reported extensively from war and conflict zones in South Africa, Kosovo and Afghanistan. He is currently senior staff writer for Legion Magazine, Canada’s most-read journal of military history. This is his first book.

 

Testimonials

This book, by one of Canada’s most experienced conflict journalists, reveals deep insight into the country’s military history and contemporary security issues. Written with crisp observations, probing investigative reporting, and evident sympathy for the men and women who have served in times of war, Thorne offers new and challenging perspectives on how history infuses and informs our modern, dangerous world.

—Tim Cook, Vimy: The Battle and the Legend and The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism during the Second World War

 

With exceptional clarity of vision, remarkable detail, compassion, and sensitivity, Thorne carries the reader through the various conflicts that shaped public discourse owing to the brave journalists who reported on them. A towering achievement. Thorne’s legion fans will not be disappointed. 

—Stephen Mize, World War II archivist