Mercy : Humanity in Warfare / Cathal J. Nolan

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nolan, Cathal J., author.

Series:

Oxford Academic

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civilization--mercy.

Civilization.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (215 pages)

Edition:

First Edition

Place of Publication:

New York, NY Oxford University Press 2022

Summary:

This book relates stories of morally decent actions in a broader context of the essential barbarism of war. It charts the wider path of obscenity and atrocity in war to highlight moments of moral grace, of goodwill toward the enemy and civilians inside a frame of jarring ugliness and malice. It presents portraits of everyday folk who reacted in a moment of crisis with mercy and sensitivity, with empathy for the shared humanity of an enemy or the innocent. The book recognizes the elect few who refused immoral acts and orders, even at grave personal risk. It challenges all nationalist myths, the usual heroic fabrications encountered in military history, and all claims to exclusive or unilateral virtue.

Contents:

Contents: Introduction - Part I:Culture - 1. Stories - 2. Heroes - 3. Killers - Part II:Combat - 4. Pity - 5. Grace - 6. Dissent - 7. Truces - Part III:Protected - 8. Medics - 9. Prisoners - 10. Civilians - Part IV:Technology - 11. Steel - 12. Stealth - 13. Wings - 14. Conclusions - Author's Note - Notes - Index

Notes:

Includes Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Nolan, Cathal J. Mercy

ISBN:

0-19-764668-9

0-19-007729-8

0-19-007730-1