Introduction ; 1-States and the Use of Force-Some Questions Posed; 2-Britain and the Imposition of Will-Setting the Scene ;3-Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) ;4-John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722) ;5-General James Wolfe (1727-1759) ;6-Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (1725-1774) ;7-Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) ;8-Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener (1850-1916) ;9-Hugh Caswell Tremenheere Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding (1882-1970) Sir Arthur Travers Harris, 1st Baronet (1892-1984) ;10-From Blitz to Isil-Changing Values, Changed Priorities ;11-Emancipation and the Influence of Women on Conflict ;12-Cities, Doctors, Teachers, Preachers ;13-No More Heroes

Historically, military leaders were heralded as heroic figures, with generals including Wellington, Nelson and Kitchener venerated by the general public. Today, commanders are no longer celebrated. Stephen Cowell explores how British society’s view of military conflicts has changed over the course of history, and asks challenging questions as to the future of armed conflict. Compared to historical wars, the number of deaths and casualties in recent conflicts is far fewer, and yet society is affected by these events to a far greater extent. The Iraq and Afghanistan invasions lasted longer than either of the two World Wars, and yet very few people would be able to name the military commanders in charge of these campaigns. Stephen explores why war is no longer viewed as glorious and heroic, but rather as sorrowful and reprehensible. Demise of the Military Hero charts the reasons as to why Britain engaged in conflict and examines society’s attitude towards war through a series of vignettes of key past military leaders. Stephen Cowell argues that the emancipation of women, supported by higher education for the masses and increased life expectancy caused the modern world to see warfare in a more negative light.