A look back over two thousand years of nearly continuous warfare suggests that violent conflict is inevitable in the human sphere.

Why are laurel wreath crowns so often associated with history’s conquering heroes?

The 16th president of the United States was one of the nation’s most illustrious, respected and steadfast leaders. Yet in key areas, his views evolved greatly over the course of his life.

Abraham Lincoln hoped the American Civil War would result in lasting peace. What caused that devastating conflict? Can peace ever be achieved in this world?

From humble origins Napoleon Bonaparte, the “Little Corporal,” had become a neo-Roman ruler in the style of Julius Caesar. Just how did he do it?

The violence of Mao Zedong’s rule in 20^th-century China remains unsurpassed in modern history. Why and how do false messiahs continue to haunt the world?

From ancient Babylon and Rome to Berlin and Beijing, false messiahs are part of world history. What can we learn from them? How might we recognize the next ones?

H.G. Wells is remembered primarily for his science-fiction works, but he also coined a phrase that for a century has been linked with World War I. As the world marks the centennial of that war’s fateful beginning, we ask: Can a war end all war?

Today, as the world marks the 100-year anniversary of the conflict’s fateful beginning, World War I continues to be fertile ground for authors. Vision reviews three new books on the subject.