63 pages • 2 hours read
Barbara F. WalterHow Civil Wars Start: And How to Stop Them
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In How Civil Wars Start, Barbara F. Walter examines the risk factors and patterns that lead to civil wars, detailing how modern conflicts differ from historical ones. She underscores how ethnic and cultural tensions, coupled with weak governance and factionalism, create environments ripe for civil unrest. The second half focuses on the growing instability in the US, highlighting factors like Trump’s presidency and the rise of alt-right militias as signs of potential civil war, urging Americans to strengthen democratic institutions to prevent conflict. The book involves acts of violence and other crimes associated with civil wars.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Barbara F. Walter's How Civil Wars Start has been praised for its rigorous analysis and timely relevance. Reviewers commend its accessible narrative style and deep insights into the causes of civil conflict. However, some critics argue that the book's predictions can be overly alarmist. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and essential read for understanding modern sociopolitical tensions.
Who Should Read How Civil Wars Start?
A reader interested in How Civil Wars Start by Barbara F. Walter is likely drawn to political science, international relations, and current events. Similar to readers of Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt’s How Democracies Die, they seek to understand the contemporary risks to political stability and the precursors to civil conflict.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Politics / Government
History: World
Society: War
Emotions/Behavior: Conflict
Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos