A War of Nerves is a fascinating and harrowing book. It is a history of what
in the First World War was called “shell shock”, that easy name for the complete
“moral” and physical collapse of an individual soldier, and its reception by the
military. The British were apt to treat it with an accusation of cowardice and
treat it with prison or sometimes a firing squad. During the Second World War
the US’s General Patton slapped a soldier who was in hospital with a similar
diagnosis— and malaria. But Ben Shephard shows that most of the 20th
century saw…
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
3
Toy universe shows that time could be a quantum illusion
4
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
5
Dramatic photo of ibis being guided to their winter homes wins award
6
Why we should all take quantum physics extremely personally
7
Ditching cigarettes for vapes may curb the cancer benefits of quitting
8
Wolves seen hunting European bison in rare camera-trap recording
9
Have we finally worked out how Venus flytraps snap shut?
10
First quantum grandfather clock could probe where gravity comes from



