Military Manners and Customs

This work offers a compact yet thorough tour of the customs that have shaped warfare from ancient times to the modern era. The author weaves together legal codes, battlefield rituals, and the human stories behind them, showing how honor, mercy, and practicality have constantly collided on the field of battle. Readers will discover why even seemingly odd practices—like the old custom of kissing the earth before a charge—once held deep significance for soldiers.

The nine chapters cover a range of topics, from the treatment of prisoners of war and the rules governing spies, to the evolution of weapons such as the musket, cannon, and early torpedoes. Drawing heavily on the historic Brussels Conference of 1874 and other primary sources, the book examines how international law has tried—and often failed—to curb cruelty on the battlefield. Throughout, the narrative stays grounded in the moral dimension of warfare, reminding listeners that behind every regulation lies a human story.