John A. Hall is James McGill Professor of Comparative Historical Sociology at McGill University. His recent publications include Ernest Gellner (2010) and The Anatomy of Power: The Social Theory of Michael Mann (Cambridge University Press, 2006). Siniša Malešević is a Professor and Head of the School of Sociology at University College Dublin. His recent publications include The Sociology of War and Violence (Cambridge University Press, 2010) and Identity as Ideology (2006).

• Introduction: wars and nationalisms John A. Hall and Siniša Malešević; Part I. Fighting for the Nation?: 1. Does nationalist sentiment increase fighting efficacy? A skeptical view from the sociology of violence Randall Collins; 2. Mercenary, citizen, victim: the rise and fall of conscription in the West Richard Lachmann; Part II. The Varieties of Nationalist Experience: 3. The state-to-nation balance and war Benjamin Miller; 4. State violence in the origins of nationalism: British counterinsurgency and the rebirth of Irish nationalism, 1969–72 James Hughes; 5. When does nationalism turn violent? A comparative analysis of Canada and Sri Lanka Matthew Lange; Part III. Empires and Nation-States: 6. Empire and ethnicity John Darwin; 7. The role of nationalism in the two world wars Michael Mann; 8. Empire, ethnicity and power: a comment Dominic Lieven; 9. Is nationalism the cause or consequence of the end of empire? Wesley Hiers and Andreas Wimmer; 10. Obliterating heterogeneity through peace: nationalisms, states and wars in the Balkans Siniša Malešević; Part IV. Empty Shells, Changed Conditions: 11. Internal wars and Latin American nationalism Miguel Angel Centeno, Jose Miguel Cruz, Rene Flores and Gustavo Silva Cano; 12. War and nationalism: the view from Central Africa René Lemarchand; 13. Victory in defeat? National identity after civil war in Finland and Ireland Bill Kissane; 14. When nationalists disagree: who should one hate and kill? Stephen Saideman.

'This is a vastly important subject, and this book amply fulfils all expectations in assembling a star cast with divergent perspectives to explore its many dimensions. The editors' introduction offers a state-of-the-art overview to the field. This is an essential text for students of war and of nationalism.' John Hutchinson, Reader in Nationalism, London School of Economics and Political Science