On 1 November 1911, Lieutenant Cavarotti leaned out of the cockpit of his delicate aircraft and, holding a Haasen hand grenade, began one of the most devastating military tactics of the twentieth century: aerial bombing. This is but one of many points of entry Lindqvist presents in this innovative history. Structuring the book in a way that re-enacts the disruptions of history caused by the advent of the bomb, Lindqvist offers his readers a series of ways into and paths through this re-examination of a century of war. He turns his fresh, inquisitive eye and tireless moral sense on the fascinating histories behind the development of air power, bombs and the laws of war and international justice, demonstrating how the practices of two world wars were born of colonial warfare.

I was powerfully affected by [this book], which feels, as we move into the era of drone warfare, compelling and morally urgent -- Hari Kunzru, Books of the Year * Guardian *
Ingenious and timely ... deserves to be read by all who wish to understand militarism in its many guises -- John Pilger
It is learned, yet concise; doom-laden, yet light. A sobering and important argument ... it is gripping stuff. Lindqvist has written an exceptionally good book -- Robert Winder * New Statesman *
A passionate denunciation of genocide and of the brutality of European colonisation * The Times *
He writes with infectious moral anger, and much humour, and intelligence * Guardian *
Fascinating and shocking in equal measure -- Hari Kunzru * Guardian *

Sven Lindqvist was born in Stockholm in 1932 and has travelled extensively though Asia, Africa and Latin America. Since 1955 he has published 30 books of essays, aphorisms, autobiography, documentary prose, travel and reportage, 10 of which are available in English, including: Bench Press, Desert Divers, "Exterminate All the Brutes" and Terra Nullius, all available from Granta Books. Lindqvist lives in Sweden with his wife and children.