My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book that looks at the human brain and how it deals with, rises up in some cases, and in others can be quite deceived by war and military conflict.

There are many famous anecdotes about military leaders who could see things that others could not. A formation that wasn't precisely lined up, allowing an opening to made. A supply train out of position, showing troops not properly equipped, Little things that no one else had noticed, or even processed. Even if things go wrong, some leaders made a retreat a victory, moving men and material away safely to fight another day, while other leaders would have had a rout with lost and captured men, and an opposing army using their own weapons against the retreating men. Theses leaders are celebrated, their actions canonized. People call them lucky, instinctive warriors, experienced which are all factors. They also might have had their brains wired a little differently. And that could have made all the difference. The human brain has been around for as long as we have, but the mysteries are slowly being plumbed. In the military of the future despite strides in AI and drones, the human brain might be the ultimate weapon, if we can only understand it. Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain by Nicholas Wright is a look at the brain in war and how it reacts, and what it could mean for the future.

This is not a book about war in the sense that it features SEALs talking about being operators and their training as nauseam, or Admirals discussing that making one's bed makes a better person. This is more a medical and historical examination of the human brain, what is known about it, and what it tells us of war. Wright is a consultant to the Pentagon and has worked on projects dealing with the military and explaining how human intelligence can make a difference. However Wright is also a doctor who specialized in the brain, and that is what the book deals with. Wright discusses how the brain uses a model of the world to function, and how these models can be effected by people shooting at one, or in periods of high stress, planning war or dealing with the aftereffects. There is much about how the brain handles surprise and shock, and how the brain can suppress bad thoughts, almost rewrite history, ie imagining the Nazis in Germany weren't that bad as many Germans felt after the war. Wright draws from his military work and his work at his group in England, explaining the brain, its functions, how we evolved. And also the future of conflict, as America seems to be acting like a sullen teen, where China is acting like a a real adult, with Taiwan as the prize.

A fascinating book, much more than I expected. There is a lot about war, and battle, but mostly about the brain, how it works and why it works. There are sections explaining why people become better leaders. Wright discusses how defeated people can capitulate so easy, to turn on democratic ideals and embrace something darker. And how some continue to be who they are. There is a lot of discussion about the brain, models, and the like, but Wright does a good job explaining it, and making things easy to follow. I liked the examples used, and it helped in my understanding, and enjoyment of the book.

I can see where some people would be like I want more about combat and killing. This is not that kind of book. This is more of a why book that a how to make a fighting man and or cool stories about being a intellectual warrior. I actually leaned far more than I thought I would, and really enjoyed the book. Plus his discussions on various war games being done by the Pentagon were quite enlightening, and disturbing. A book that really makes you think, and maybe even a little concerned.

Warhead by Dr. Nicholas Wright

Warhead is a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of how neuroscience can inform our understanding of warfare, decision-making, and human conflict. Dr. Nicholas Wright—an esteemed neuroscientist and adviser to the Pentagon—brings an impressive depth of expertise to this timely and ambitious book.

Wright deftly combines cutting-edge brain science with vivid historical case studies, from the Battle of Waterloo to the inner workings of China’s Red Army. He poses compelling questions—why France lost to the Nazis despite superior firepower, how peace was secured after World War Two, and how leaders like Churchill or Shaka Zulu managed uncertainty and pressure. These stories are rich and insightful, grounding complex scientific ideas in real-world scenarios.

However, while the content is undeniably fascinating, I occasionally found myself struggling to follow how the neuroscience was being directly connected to the historical narratives. The transitions between theory and example sometimes felt abrupt or underdeveloped, which made it harder to see the overall cohesion of the argument.

Still, *Warhead* succeeds in opening up a crucial conversation about how our brains are wired for conflict—and how that wiring shapes not only battles and diplomacy but everyday interpersonal dynamics. For readers interested in the intersection of science, strategy, and history, this book offers much to reflect on.