Warhead

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 PossibleThis remarkable book charts the living history of war and conflict, from what unfolds on the evening news to spellbinding examples from military history. Nicholas Wright’s analysis of our capacity for planning, introspection, perspective taking and metacognition lays bare our capacity for deceit, dehumanisation and destruction. However, the books dénouement revisits these fundamentals of the human mind, and they point to another path – a path in which the horrors of war can be avoided through our complementary capacities for consciousness, communication and construction – Karl Friston, Professor of Neuroscience at University College LondonIn a survival scenario, such as war, fundamental questions arise: How do we survive hunger? How can we think when tired? How do we detect deception? How do we choose our collaborators? In war, if we can’t answer these questions, we will doom ourselves and many others as well. In this distinctive and fascinating book, 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 MindThis 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 LondonI 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 GCHQTruly 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 MindA 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

Nicholas Wright is a neuroscientist and medical doctor who researches the brain, technology and security at UCL, Georgetown University and the New America think tank in Washington, DC, where he also advises the Pentagon Joint Staff. He has appeared on CNN, the BBC and national stations in Australia, Sweden and Latin America. He regularly contributes to outlets including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic and Slate.