This book looks at how the "western way of war" was constructed and maintained by the Greeks and Romans and why this concept is so prevalent today. The book also examines how wars were able to shape classical society exploring, for example, the way with which issues of morality were dealt. Uses arresting anecdotes and striking visual images to show that any understanding of ancient war is an ongoing process of interpretation. By Harry Sidebottom. Oxford University Press. 192 pages.