Dubious Battles

Why do leaders initiate wars they are destined to lose? This study shows that imperfect understanding of land-sea wars was at the root of defeats for leaders from Louis XIV to Saddam Hussein. Preface, Chapter 1. Introduction, Chapter 2. Structural Explanations, Chapter 3. Modifications to Existing Theories, Chapter 4. On Winning (or Losing) Wars, Chapter 5. Why Losers Start Wars, Chapter 6. Summary and Conclusions, Appendix I. Classification of Decisive Interstate Wars, 1815-1980, Appendix II. Interstate Wars Fought Overseas, 1815-1980, Appendix III. Correlation Matrix of Key Variables, Appendix IV. Interstate Wars in the Air Power Age, Selected References, Index