With an emphasis on war, this book offers an interdisciplinary and up-to-date introduction to studies of war and peace, from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, and provides an instrument to initiate classroom discussions and analyze what war and peace mean for different peoples around the world. Fourteen chapters are divided into two parts: theoretical perspectives; and case studies. Part I presents several aspects of war from multi-disciplinary perspectives. Chapters include a history of peace movements; causes of war; the biology of war; the just war tradition; the representation of war; the economics of war; and the end of war. Part II presents six case studies (Yugoslavia, Iraq, the Pacific, Colombia, Rwanda, and Libya), and allows students to work on their own case study. This interesting and thought-provoking book provides students with a volume that contains both theory and case studies under one cover. There is about the authors, further reading, and references. Also provided in the text are guiding questions, selected reading, further reading and case study guiding questions. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)