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Warhead
- Author
- Nicholas Wright
- Narrator
- Nicholas Wright
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 30 October 2025
- Run Time
- 15 hours 13 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
Read by the author, Nicholas Wright
From a leading neuroscientist and advisor to the Pentagon, discover the new science behind warfare.
Why did France surrender to the Nazis despite having a superior army? How has Ukraine stood firm against Russia? How do you know if you can trust an ally? How can we make clearer decisions under pressure? In Warhead, Nicholas Wright delves into our brains to find out why humans fight, lose and win wars.
Drawing upon his extensive expertise in neuroscience, combined with his strategic advisory role at the Pentagon, Wright reveals that, whether we like it or not, our brains are wired for conflict and survival. In an increasingly dangerous world, our success and our values depend on recognizing this and, if necessary, taking advantage of it.
Through cutting-edge research and by exploring notable conflicts from history, Warhead examines why global tensions are rising, from Taiwan to Ukraine, and asks how to defuse them. From the office to the battlefield, it is essential for understanding a more divided world.
Critics Review
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A mind-expanding journey through the literal war for our minds. Combines neuroscience, history and memoir in the best traditions of popular science and military history. Invigorating, educational and entertaining
Peter Pomerantsev, Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and award-winning author of How to Win an Information War and Nothing is True and Everything is Possible
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Eye-opening ... Warhead is a powerful argument for a greater understanding of the way the brain shapes the nature of war in the past, the present and the future he predicts
Nick Rennison, Mail on Sunday
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This remarkable book charts the living history of war and conflict, from what unfolds on the evening news to spellbinding examples from military history
Karl Friston, Professor of Neuroscience at University College London
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Distinctive and fascinating ... Nick Wright reminds us of the true importance of all the various brain functions, wherever they may be in the brain's hierarchy of function
Chris Frith, Emeritus Professor of Neuropsychology at University College London, and author of Making up the Mind
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I learned a great deal from Nicholas Wright’s unique book about how today’s neuroscience can better explain the workings of the brain, and provide understanding of how our brains feed the roots of human conflict. Highly recommended
Sir David Omand, Professor at the War Studies Department of King’s College London, and former Director of GCHQ
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This is a lively, ingenious and original book. Taking us on a journey through the distinctive parts of the brain, Nicholas Wright is able to make human behaviour during the extreme circumstances of war make more sense
Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London
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Truly original and (unfortunately) timely. Wright combines brain science, history and psychology to challenge our views on war and peace. Would understanding the mind help bring peace or help nations fight better? Perhaps both. Fresh, engaging and provocative
Tali Sharot, award-winning author of The Influential Mind
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A fresh neuroscientific exploration of the science of war. Warhead is for anyone who thinks conflict is explained by cold reason and analysis, rather than by understanding our imperfect brains
Beatrice Heuser, Distinguished Professor at the Free University of Brussels and author of Flawed Strategy: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions
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In the great canon of war literature you will search far and wide for an examination, accessible to all, that considers how the structure of the brain, its chemistry and processes, provides the key to understanding those violent events . . . But now we have Warhead
Mark Urban, Sunday Times
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An alarming insider account of how our brains influence conflict . . . Warhead presents an original angle with some illuminating insights
New Scientist
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Thought-provoking and terrifying
Wall Street Journal
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Nicholas Wright
- Narrator
- Nicholas Wright
- Duration
- 15 hours 13 minutes
- Release Date
- 30 October 2025
- ISBN
- 9781035014026
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Political science and theory, Social and cultural anthropology, Social, group or collective psychology, Violence and abuse in society, Health, illness or addiction: social aspects, Psychiatric and mental disorders
Synopsis
Read by the author, Nicholas WrightFrom a leading neuroscientist and advisor to the Pentagon, discover the new science behind warfare.Why did France surrender to the Nazis despite having a superior army? How has Ukraine stood firm against Russia? How do you know if you can trust an ally? How can we make clearer decisions under pressure? In Warhead, Nicholas Wright delves into our brains to find out why humans fight, lose and win wars.Drawing upon his extensive expertise in neuroscience, combined with his strategic advisory role at the Pentagon, Wright reveals that, whether we like it or not, our brains are wired for conflict and survival. In an increasingly dangerous world, our success and our values depend on recognizing this and, if necessary, taking advantage of it.Through cutting-edge research and by exploring notable conflicts from history, Warhead examines why global tensions are rising, from Taiwan to Ukraine, and asks how to defuse them. From the office to the battlefield, it is essential for understanding a more divided world.
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