Synopses & Reviews
It is often said that war is 5% horror and 95% boredom. In this sense, military boredom is historically enduring as well as personally enduring for the soldiers who have to endure it. This book contributes to a deeper understanding historically, empirically and theoretically of the complex phenomenon of boredom in a military context.
Synopsis
It is often said that wars consist of 5% horror and 95% boredom. In this sense, military boredom is historically enduring. But it is also personally enduring in terms of what it demands and requires of individual soldiers who have to endure it. Even in its simpler form, boredom can endanger a military operation. Ignoring boredom is poor military leadership and can easily cause tactical and strategic problems. To fully understand their soldiers, military leaders must know some of the destructive and constructive aspects of boredom, as well as its causes and consequences. The aim of this book is to contribute to a deeper understanding - historically, empirically and theoretically - of the complex phenomenon of boredom in a military context. The book takes the reader on a journey through military history and contemporary case studies in order to demonstrate how boredom has been a much-felt problem and how different means of alleviating boredom have emerged.
Synopsis
Introduction Boredom in Military History Navigating Against the Wind of Entropy Bored in Afghanistan? Voyage Boredom Submarine Boredom Enduring Boredom - but How? Notes Bibliography Index
About the Author
BRD MLAND is Professor of Systematic Theology at the School of Mission and Theology, Stavanger, Norway, and is founding editor of the
Journal of Military Ethics. He worked for many years as a chaplain and researcher at the Norwegian Military Academy, and also served with the Norwegian UN battalion in South Lebanon. In 2004 he published a book on the morality of young Norwegian officers serving in Kosovo,
Wounded Idealism.
PAUL OTTO BRUNSTAD serves as a researcher to the Chaplaincy, Norwegian Defence. He was previously Associate Professor at the Norwegian Teachers Academy and then an instructor and chaplain to the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy. He has published two previous books: Melancholy of Victory and Prudent Leadership between Vices and Virtues.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Boredom in Military History
Navigating Against the Wind of Entropy
Bored in Afghanistan?
Voyage Boredom
Submarine Boredom
Enduring Boredom but How?
Notes
Bibliography
Index