A History of the Laws of War: Volume 2

This ambitious reference work traces the development of warfare regulations from ancient civilizations to contemporary international law, drawing on sources as diverse as 2400 BCE written records, biblical texts, and modern Security Council resolutions. Gillespie demonstrates that the attempt to legitimize and regulate combat is nearly as ancient as conflict itself, presenting a comprehensive chronology of how societies have grappled with the rules of engagement. The book systematically examines how different eras and cultures have approached the fundamental question of what constitutes acceptable conduct in war, revealing patterns and precedents that continue to influence modern military law.

What distinguishes this volume is its sweeping historical scope and the author's meticulous documentation of how ancient practices echo in contemporary conventions like the Geneva Protocols. Legal scholars and military historians will find invaluable insights in Gillespie's analysis of how cultural norms and practical necessities have shaped the evolution of combat rules across millennia. The work makes a compelling case that the laws of war represent humanity's ongoing effort to impose order on chaos, offering crucial context for understanding current international humanitarian law and its historical foundations.