Book Review: Nostalgic Virility as a Cause of War: How Leaders of Great Powers Cope with Status Decline

Authors

• Christine C. Cook

Files

Description

Author: Matthieu Grandpierron

Reviewed by: Dr. Christine C. Cook, (colonel, US Army Reserve, retired), adjunct professor, US Naval War College

What happens when powerful nations feel their global status slipping away? In Nostalgic Virility as a Cause of War, Matthieu Grandpierron explores how emotional responses—rooted in pride, identity, and historical memory—can drive leaders of great powers toward conflict. This provocative study blends psychology, international relations, and strategic leadership to reveal how nostalgia can become a dangerous force in global politics.

©2026 Christine C. Cook

Publication Date

9-16-2026

Keywords

great power, leadership, strategic decision-making, international relations, power transition theory

Disciplines

Defense and Security Studies

Recommended Citation

Christine C. Cook, Book Review: Nostalgic Virility as a Cause of War: How Leaders of Great Powers Cope with Status Decline ( US Army War College Press, 2026),
https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters_bookshelf/183