From Hitler's determination to erase Germany's disgrace after World War I, to Sadat's promise to undo Egypt's humiliation in 1967, to ISIS's proclamations that it would end the “emasculation” of Muslims and restore the glory of the Caliphate, a sense of political humiliation and a desire for martial glory have always been central in the drive to war. Yet although glory and humiliation are the twin engines of conflict, and together they spur individuals and nations to violence, philosophers have shown little interest in these dispositions. In this book Nir Eisikovits offers a philosophical account of political humiliation, martial glory, and the relationship between them. Drawing on philosophy, literature, and psychology, Eisikovits argues that it is impossible to understand why people are drawn to war and how wars are justified without making sense of these two political passions and the ways in which they inflame each other.

‘Eisikovits splendidly brings together political theory, conceptual investigations, and case studies. His book, by directing our attention to the dangerous dynamics of glory and humiliation, provides an original and illuminating contribution to our understanding of the question why states go to war.'

Thomas Brudholm - University of Copenhagen

‘In a groundbreaking book, Nir Eisikovits probes how a sense of personal and political humiliation can drive a people to war and instill a hunger for glory. Eisikovits writes with grace and compassion as he explores history and its examples, whether his lens is focused on Pericles's funeral oration, World War I and II, China, or the current wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. This is a book we need to study, now.' ,

Nancy Sherman - Georgetown University