Jenny Thompson, PhD, Historian & Author

The term "embedded" has become a kind of signature term for this era of conflict. Journalists use it to refer to their status alongside military personnel in covering the conflict. As the conflict has continued, however, the number of "embedded" journalists has dwindled.

In the meantime, however, war has become more staunchly "embedded" in  Read More 

The length of a war does not necessarily translate into its severity. And any war, to my mind, is a terrible waste and an assault against humanity. Diplomacy should always be the goal--settling disputes without bloodshed.

But throughout the 20th century, diplomacy failed time and again; and wars of varying lengths were fought.

World  Read More 

Some of the books that have most influenced my thinking about war:

Chris Hedges, War is the Force that Gives Us Meaning.

George Mosse, Fallen Soldiers: Reshaping the Memory of the World Wars.

Willa Cather, One of Ours.

Humphrey Cobb, Paths of Glory.

Michael Herr, Dispatches.

Gerda Klein, All But My Life.