Includes bibliographical references (pages 391-408) and index.

I: Mobilization. Imitate the action of the tiger -- At ease -- Open fire -- Black Hawk Down -- In the heart of nature -- II: Hostilities. 1914, summer -- Error and Henry Rawlinson -- The MG 08 -- Shoulder arms/shoulder camera -- They -- A terrible place -- Funny old war -- The Gallipoli adventure -- Après la Guerre -- A brief illusion -- III: The just war. Horse feathers -- Masses -- Blimp -- Damn fine show -- Kwai -- The bastards and their demon -- Fury -- The Best Years of Our Lives -- Saving Saving Private Ryan -- On being occupied -- Russia -- IV: Post-traumatic stress disorder. The look on Ryan's face -- In Algiers -- The other side -- 'Nam -- Gibson -- The unit -- No more civilians -- No more soldiers? -- All right now? -- Looks like there's a war on... -- Do you remember?.

In this moral conundrum that ponders how much moviegoers enjoy depictions of violence on a grand scale, an acclaimed film critic turns his attention to war movies, exploring how war and cinema in the 20th century became inextricably linked, transforming civilian experience of war--and history itself--for millions around the globe.