Warhead by Nicholas Wright - ISBN: 9781035014002
Paperback
Neuroscience reveals why we fight, lose, and win wars.
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Warhead

How the Brain Shapes War and War Shaped Our Brains

$22.48

  • Paperback

    400 pages

  • Release Date

    20 October 2026

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Summary

‘Lively, ingenious and original’ - Sir Lawrence Freedman

Discover the new science behind warfare, from Dr Nicholas Wright, leading neuroscientist and adviser to the Pentagon.

Why did France lose to the Nazis, despite its defenders having more tanks, troops and guns? How did Ukraine repel Russia’s initial onslaught? How do you know if you can trust an ally? How can we make clearer decisions under pressure?

In Warhead, Nicholas Wright takes us on a fascinating j…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781035014002
ISBN-10:1035014009
Author:Nicholas Wright
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Imprint:Pan Books
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:400
Release Date:20 October 2026
Weight:274g
Dimensions:25mm x 136mm x 201mm
Audience Age:18
A-Format
B-Format
Warhead by Nicholas Wright - ISBN: 9781035014002
136 × 201 mm
C-Format
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

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
Eye-openingWarhead 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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, The Sunday Times
An alarming insider account of how our brains influence conflict … Warhead presents an original angle with some illuminating insights – New Scientist

About The Author

Nicholas Wright

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.

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