While well researched, the author clearly came to this book seeking to justify a prior conclusion rather than looking to answer the question itself. Stoessinger dismisses economics as a motivating factor in human conflict entirely. Instead, he insists that the cause of war is misunderstanding. This simplistic view also insults the memory of anyone who has fought for any belief, whether that belief is justified by history or not. I pray that students of history and political science such as myself will read further for a better understanding of this complex human activity.