Description

---

Fighting has gotten a bad name; it should not be so. Fighting itself is neither moral nor immoral; only its object can be said to be so. We may count the ability to fight well, when applied to a just cause, among the virtues. To be moral is notto fight no one; to be moral is to fight those who vitiate life and civilization. In Consilience, Edward Wilson writes that, if "moral aptitude" is like every other trait studied to date, it forms a bell curve, has a natural genetic distribution: some human beings are moral, others amoral or immoral.

Our chief concern should be for, first life, then civilization; fighting may foster life and civilization, and not fighting harm them. That the moral are far less willing to fight than the immoral has always hurt societies. If we truly wish to make the world a better place, we should sometimes fight. "Many moral advances have consisted not of eschewing force across the board," writes Steven Pinker in The Better Angels of Our Nature, "but of applying it in carefully measured doses."

We learn how to fight well by studying great fighters. "The art of war is an art with principles," said Napoleon, "and these principles must never be violated." Life Fighting explicates the principles by showing how Caesar, Richelieu, Talleyrand, Napoleon, and Gates applied them.

"Life Fighting is fascinating. It has much sage advice and is immensely erudite and fluid. I have never seen writing so good."

A Reviewer with Stanford University Press

"Sweet's book is wonderful and should be savored. He offers countless insights and observations not only on his subjects, but also on life and human conduct in general."

Needham B. Whitfield, Former Chairman and CEO, Brenco, Inc.

"I have become an avid reader of Life Fighting. I have found it to be sublime, erudite, and, above all, inspirational. It certainly stands out in the crowd for its level of depth, scholarship, and profundity."

Clayton W. Chan, Esq.

"Sweet has managed, using a few key historical leaders, to uncover critical principles that have great relevance for us all. He reminds us that the study of history remains richly rewarding."

Dr. Philip B. Breitfeld, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Champions Oncology

"Sweet's book is excellent. He makes a strong argument for the selfishness of human nature and its origins in our evolutionary past."

Timothy W.J. O'Brien, Partner and General Counsel, Pine River Capital Management

"The breadth of Sweet's references in history and literature is staggering."

Rebecca Smithson, Philanthropist

Robert W. Sweet studied history and literature at Oxford University as an English Speaking Union Scholar, Arabic and history in Syria as a Fulbright Scholar, and archaeology in Israel as a Dorot Scholar; he holds two master's degrees. He is Senior Advisor to Aga Khan University.