History of the Laws of War

This unique reference traces the origins of the modern laws of warfare from the earliest times to the present day. Relying on written records from as far back as 2400 BC and utilizing sources ranging from the Bible to Security Council Resolutions the book pieces together the history of a subject which is almost as old as civilization itself. A History of the Laws of War shows that as long as humanity has been waging wars it has also been trying to find ways of: a) legitimizing different forms of combatants and ascribing rules to them b) protecting civilians who are either inadvertently or intentionally caught up between them and c) controlling the use of particular classes of weapons that may be used in times of conflict. Thus the book is divided into three substantial parts: Volume 1 on the laws affecting combatants and captives Volume 2 on civilians in times of armed conflict and Volume 3 on the law of arms control. As a work of reference A History of the Laws of War is unrivaled and will be of immense benefit to scholars and practitioners researching and advising on the laws of warfare. It throws fascinating new light on the history of international law and on the history of warfare itself. The volumes can be purchased individually or as a complete three-volume boxed set.