Why War?
Join Richard Overy, one of Britain's leading historians on the Second World War and Nazi Germany, for an in-depth discussion around his latest book Why War?
Exploring how humanity is repeatedly drawn into conflict, despite our understanding of its horrors, Richard Overy has drawn on a lifetime of study to present a challenging account of how we can understand the causes of war. From biology to belief and psychology to security, Richard will discuss how warfare becomes a legitimate option – why it’s part of our past, and likely to be part of our future.
About Richard Overy
Richard Overy is one of Britain’s most distinguished historians. He has written extensively on the Second World War and Nazi Germany, and won the Duke of Wellington Medal for Military History in 2022. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.
About 'Why War?'
Why has warfare always been part of the human story? From biology to belief, what explains the persistence of violent conflict? What light can this shed on humanity’s past – and its future?
There can be few more important yet more contentious issues than attempting to understand the human propensity for conflict. Our history is inextricably tangled in wave after wave of inter-human fighting from as far back as we have records.
Repeatedly humans have foresworn war, have understood its appalling risks and have wished to create more pacific, productive societies. And yet almost inevitably circumstances emerge under which war once more seems inevitable or even desirable.
Richard Overy draws on a lifetime of study to attempt to make sense of what Einstein called 'the dark places of human will and feeling'.
About Your Host
Laura Clouting is a Senior Curator at Imperial War Museums, where she has worked since 2006. She is the lead curator for IWM London’s latest temporary exhibition War and the Mind. Laura has worked on many high-profile exhibitions at IWM, including the award-winning First World War Galleries, Lest We Forget? at IWM North, and Real to Reel: A Century of War Movies at IWM London. Laura is the author of IWM publication A Century of Remembrance. She is a regular spokesperson for IWM through media interviews and the museum’s digital channels.
About War and the Mind
27 September 2024 to 27 April 2025
Human thought, emotion, and behaviour are critical to war.
War and the Mind is a free exhibition at IWM London exploring war’s many psychological dimensions, from the First World War to the present day.
What motivates people to start and support wars? How do humans think, feel and act during conflict? How do we make sense of the devastating conflicts that have shaped our world?
Throughout War and the Mind, cutting-edge UK Research and Innovation projects delve deeper into the psychology of conflict – from the use of drones and the front-line experiences of British armed forces in the Falklands Conflict, to attitudes towards the enemy and the significance of soldiers’ dreams during the First World War.
About Your Ticket
As a charity, your IWM In Conversation ticket purchase helps IWM continue to tell stories for future generations.
Tickets cost just £20 per person (including IWM members) and include:
- Richard Overy's talk within the impressive surroundings of IWM London
- A special Q&A, ask your own questions and join the conversation
- The talk culminates in a book signing and a personal meet and greet with Richard Overy
- Then enjoy exclusive after-hours entry to War and the Mind, IWM London's latest temporary exhibition.
In addition to your ticket booking, if you can, please purchase your copy of Why War? from our IWM pop-up shop on the evening. Every purchase you make supports the work we do.
