Why Do We Fight?: Conflict, War, and Peace

by Niki Walker

Battles, protests, standoffs, strikes. We hear about them all the time. On the surface, a battle and a protest don't seem to have much in common, but they're really just two ways of handling a dispute. One uses violence, the other uses signs and picket lines. But both start as a disagreement between two groups of people. Both are conflicts.

Since it's impossible for people to agree on everything all the time, conflicts naturally pop up every day, all over the world. Sometimes they turn into full-blown wars, which can be a lot trickier to understand than the conflicts that pop up in everyday life, but every conflict has some things in common.

Using real world examples, Why Do We Fight? teaches kids to recognize the structures, factors, and complex histories that go into creating conflicts, whether personal or global — as well as the similarities between both. They'll be given tools to seek out information, enabling them to make informed opinions while learning to respect that others may form different ones.

From culture clashes and trade disputes to disagreements about how to govern, Why Do We Fight? insists that the key to fulfilling humankind's wish for "world peace" lies in how we choose to deal with conflict and provides a genuine cause for optimism in the face of an at-times frightening world.

Genres: Nonfiction, War, Politics, Middle Grade

80 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

Reviews

[Züleyha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bayıldım
Benimki gibi toplumsal olaylara, tarihi gelişmelerin kökenine ve bazı politik ve sosyolojik kavramlara meraklı bir genç varsa hayatınızda şiddetle tavsiye ederim. Bu hassas konuları tarafsız, manupule etmeden; hem örnekleme hem de tanım ve kavram düzeyinde açıklayan şahane bir çalışma.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes a complex topic, conflict/war, and breaks it down into the reasons/motivations and terminology necessary to understand it. The writing here is top-notch. All of the concepts were explained in text with examples first and then the term appeared in a sidebar box with its definition. I really liked the way this was done as it helped solidify the concept before it introduced the jargon that may or may not be familiar to readers but surely helps to add complexity to the topic.

Formatting was great too. Information is organized well on the page and makes use of sidebars and charts and carefully chosen quotes. The color yellow is used to draw attention to supporting information.

This book works well to break down this topic for children both as a homework help resource or as a family discussion book. Highly recommended for grades 5-8

[Makenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This chapter book explores questions kids have always wanted to know, but have always gotten answers that beat around the bush. Although War is in the title, this book isn’t about past wars and history. It’s about the WHYs of conflict. I can guarantee as a younger student I never understood why we had wars, and why people can’t just get along. The book, although designed for late tweens and early teens, really helped me understand things better. The book answers the hard questions like: What is conflict? Why do conflicts come up? How disagreements happen, how and why conflicts become wars, how wars end, building and keeping peace – who does it and how, and understanding conflicts.

[Terri Van Loon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book addresses many issues that even adults struggle to understand but does it in a simplified way that middle grade students can grasp. This book would be an excellent supplemental text for social studies content and invite discussions on conflicts both from history and current events. I think the content appeals to readers' natural curiosity and could invite many opportunities for research among middle grade students.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an important book. I'd love to see this book in every classroom. Not only does it provide a way to look at global conflict, but it supports reflection on personal conflicts between two or more people or groups. I will be using several two-page spreads from this book to do close reading with intermediate students of informational text.

[Raigan Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a person who loves history and want to know how it affects life today, look no more! This book is a quick shot of moments in history that shaped modern day and how we are affected by it. Some students may wonder “what does this mean?” “How does this affect?” “Who are these people?” This book will give an insight on real world issues and tributes that have been faced throughout and til this day. If you’re looking for an interesting way to learn history, this book is for you!

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did a really good job of breaking down and explaining complex ideas such as ethnic conflicts, mediation, sanctions, etc. in clear, simple to understand language. The way the content is organized, along with the definitions along the side margins, makes the subject matter more approachable. My favorite part of this book is how critical thinking is emphasized in the "Making Sense of Conflicts" section. It gives questions to ask yourself about conflicts, the difference between facts and opinions, primary vs. secondary sources, how to spot a bias, propaganda, and how journalists perspectives inevitably shape their reporting.

While I think this book could be really useful, it definitely has a Western bias with what it chooses to leave out of the discussion. When Walker talks about disproportionate distribution of resources as a source of conflict and attributes this to corrupt, often nonexistent governments in developing countries, she's leaving out the role that the globalization and the economic North plays. Throughout the book, she references the differences between democratic and undemocratic countries, but thankfully never uses it to justify why we go to war.

Though this book is primarily around war between countries and is a basic overview, I think it would benefit from a stronger economic analysis, particularly on the effects of neoliberalism and globalization. It is a rather ambitious undertaking to write a book about global conflict for upper-elementary/middle schoolers and overall, I think "Why Do We Fight?" is a great tool for exploring international politics and engaging in critical thinking.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

With five chapters covering the origin of conflicts, the different sides to disagreements, reasons for the escalation of conflicts into wars, maintaining peace, and trying to make sense of conflict, this book breaks down into simple language exactly what makes humans fight. As readers move deeper into the book, which is designed simply with maps and bright colored blocks, they will encounter real-life examples about the often-deep roots of conflict. For instance, there is a timeline dating back to 1747 that shows just how long there has been conflict in and around Afghanistan. Conflicts over dwindling natural resources such as oil and water also spur problems. These examples are helpful since they help readers realize that there are often no overnight solutions to the division between or within nations. Fascinating reading, this book may singlehandedly start readers along their own road to understanding others who are different than they are. My main criticism concerns the book's design. I will it could have been more visually appealing.

[Michael Campana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Do We Fight? is a thoughtful, non-fiction analysis in five chapters (plus and introduction and a conclusion) of the roots and components of international and interpersonal conflicts, and how to seek resolutions to them. Graphical elements including highlighting of key words, textual sidebars, maps of conflict-prone areas of the world such as Egypt and Afghanistan, charts, checklists, timelines, and diagrams— all of which are drawn or graphed in black and white with yellow serving as a highlight color—help the reader grasp the complexities of the book's subject.

[Elizabeth B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книга ґрунтується на військових конфліктах (глобальних) тож деякі приклади не до кінця зрозумілі (саме історичні приклади деяких держав, зокрема історія Афганістану), вважаю це дещо зайвим та й не цього очікувала від книги, але все одно 3/5.
*Аби була можливість, ще пів зірочки за оформлення поставила б!

[Abril G. Karera · Rating 2 out of 5]

No niego que este libro contenga información valiosa sobre los conflictos, pero me ha parecido enredado y rebuscado.

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great, comprehensive look at what causes conflict, how to resolve conflicts, and how to inform oneself about issues in the world. Short enough to read in one sitting, it's still packed with information, and it's a great conversation-starter, especially with my teens.

[Sevim Selinay Barın · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okullarda işlenmesi gereken bir kitap.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

so so good need in classroom!!!

[Anastasiia Boichun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книга хороша, оформлення гарне. На жаль, все, що тут описано, то українці вже давно здають.

[Ive Sf · Rating 4 out of 5]

¿Por qué peleamos? , es una pregunta que muchas veces nos hacemos y al ser el título de la obra, tiene el propósito y el objetivo de explicar a los lectores el por qué surgen los conflictos, las peleas , las guerras y los desacuerdos entre dos o más involucrados, el libro empieza explicando con ejemplos el por que surgen conflictos pequeños y de ahí se va desarrollando poco a poco en conflictos más grandes y los elementos que influyen en cada uno; De esta lectura aprendí un sin fin de cosas como que no podemos delimitar una opinión sobre un conflicto sin saber todo lo que influyó en él para el surgimiento y que todos tenemos diferentes opiniones y que no somos iguales.

[Jennifer]

This book allows kids to become educated about war and use their knowledge as strength rather than fear the unknown. The book itself is black and white with bright yellow highlighting, making it an inviting book despite the very serious topic it deals with. The content jumps off the pages through the usage of engaging graphics such as bubble charts and playful font. What makes this book so incredible is that it is able to appeal and relate to a child. Normally children have no interest in reading about the world's history with conflict, and when they do read about that history they are left feeling bored or disconnected with the information. However, this book generously relates the world conflict to everyday conflict a kid may experience. The book has sections that evoke the reader to self reflect by asking question about their lives and conflict they experience.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A guide to get kids thinking about why people in the world have conflicts and how they solve them. It does a nice job of breaking down concepts into an understandable language for children and the style of the writing seems to be written for younger children but the concepts are definitely for older children. A little confusing at the beginning when conflict is defined as "an intense disagreement" and then the author goes on to say that if you didn't agree with everyone around you then you are have been in conflict with them.

[Bethany Stasikova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good introduction to conflict for a younger audience. I've noticed since reading that this book has gained a place in the childrens spot light section at the local library. If you have kiddos who are interested in the subject, this would be a great introduction!

Was notified I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads program. Am excitedly waiting for its arrival!

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teen readers will learn about the roots of conflict and how to keep oneself open-minded and informed when assessing a given conflict. The author doesn't focus on current news-making conflicts, choosing instead to help readers understand how and why conflicts in general happen. A useful resource for developing critical thinking.

[Dana]

"Why do we Fight?" is a cute, but serious book that helps display in simple honestly the way the interacts. This book is basic enough that a parent could walk through this with their kid and most likely would be a great teaching tool.

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book asks the age old question why do we fight?This book geared to kids who live in this world were adults fight and bicker.This not only shoes fighting face to face but abroad.reading this short book my give insight on why we fight.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really got to figure out how to use this in class. It's a very informative piece that lends perspective to war and conflict. I especially liked the last chapter on perspectives.

[Sami Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise explanations of conflict, resolution and making and maintaining informed opinions!

[Kathleen]

This might be useful for my teaching team as we structure our peace and security unit.

[Mills College Library]

303.69 W182 2013

[Charmayne Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

We used this as a textbook for history class, it was very interesting to read. It is a very visual book with new layouts on every page.