Character guide

Homer Lea

supporting

Also known as Mr. Lea, Mr. Homer Lea

American author and geopolitical writer whose ideas on war and empire are discussed.

Admiral Mahan

supporting

Also known as Mahan

Naval strategist and historian whose theories on sea power are critically examined.

Norman Angell

major

Also known as Mr. Norman Angell, Mr. Angell

Author and lecturer, central figure whose economic arguments against war are the book's focus.

Robert Blatchford

supporting

Also known as Mr. Blatchford

Socialist journalist and author whose pro-war writings are rebutted.

Frederic Harrison

minor

Also known as Mr. Frederic Harrison, Mr. Harrison

English jurist and historian, cited for his views on war and national defense.

Theodore Roosevelt

supporting

Also known as Mr. Roosevelt, ex-President Roosevelt, Roosevelt

Former US President whose militaristic and imperialist views are critiqued.

General Bernhardi

supporting

Also known as Bernhardi, General von Bernhardi

German general and military writer whose advocacy of war is analyzed.

Prince Bismarck

minor

Also known as Bismarck

German statesman, referenced for his policies and statements on power politics.

Lecky

minor

Also known as Mr. Lecky

Irish historian and essayist, quoted on historical and moral topics.

Sir Robert Giffen

minor

Also known as Sir Robert (then Mr.) Giffen

British economist and statistician, cited on trade and finance.

Spenser Wilkinson

minor

Also known as Professor Wilkinson, Professor Spenser Wilkinson

Military historian and professor, whose views on national defense are discussed.

Winston Churchill

minor

Also known as Mr. Churchill, Mr. Winston Churchill

British politician, cited for his statements on naval power and national policy.

Clausewitz

minor

Prussian military theorist, whose doctrines on war are referenced and critiqued.

John M. Robertson

minor

Also known as Mr. John M. Robertson, John

British politician and writer, cited on economic and historical subjects.

Admiral Fisher

minor

Also known as Even Admiral Fisher

British naval officer, referenced for his views on naval armaments.

Dr. Gaevernitz

minor

Also known as Dr. Schulze-Gaevernitz

German economist, cited on economic aspects of war and trade.

Moltke

minor

Also known as Von Moltke

Prussian military strategist, referenced for his military maxims.

Aristotle

minor

Ancient Greek philosopher, cited on ethics and political theory.

Baron Karl von Stengel

minor

Also known as Professor Baron Karl von Stengel, Baron von Stengel

German legal scholar, whose views on international law are discussed.

Paul Krüger

minor

Also known as Krüger

Boer statesman, referenced in discussions of colonial conflicts.

Sir Harry H. Johnston

minor

Also known as Sir Harry

British explorer and colonial administrator, cited on colonial matters.

Leo Maxse

minor

Also known as Mr. Leo Maxse

British journalist and editor, referenced for his nationalist views.

Thomas Hughes

minor

Also known as Tommy

English author and social reformer, cited on moral and social questions.

Mr. Chamberlain

minor

British politician, likely Joseph Chamberlain, cited on imperial policy.

M. J. Novikow

minor

Also known as M. Novikow, J. Novikow

Russian sociologist, cited on peace and international relations.

Sir C. P. Lucas

minor

British colonial historian, referenced on colonial administration.

William James

minor

Also known as Professor William James, James

American philosopher and psychologist, cited on human nature and morality.

Lord Roberts

minor

British field marshal, referenced for his views on national defense.

Lord Kitchener

minor

British military leader, cited in discussions of imperial warfare.

Philip II

minor

Also known as Philip

King of Spain, referenced as a historical example of imperial power.

Harry McGee

minor

Also known as Mr. Harry McGee

Minor figure, possibly a fictional or anecdotal character in an example.

Ernest Renan

minor

Also known as Renan, M. Ernest Renan

French philosopher and historian, cited on nationalism and identity.

Dreyfus

minor

Also known as the Dreyfus

French military officer, referenced in context of the Dreyfus affair.

William McDougal

minor

Also known as Professor William McDougal, Professor McDougal

Psychologist, cited on human instincts and behavior.