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Describing the history of the world's Red Cross organizations, this book argues that, although they set out with a vision of making war more humane, they soon became enthusiastic promoters of militarism and sacrifice in time of war. In the 19th century, self-appointed battlefield Samaritans envisaged a neutral corps of volunteer nurses who would aid and comfort wounded soldiers, regardless of nationality. The book contends that these champions of charity soon became champions of war, and that Florence Nightingale recognized the dangers lurking in the Red Cross vision, and refused to join; that armies simply used the Red Cross to recycle wounded men back into the battle lines; that in World War I national Red Cross societies became enthusiastic wartime propagandists; and that they continued to take a militaristic line until eventually the organization became better known for its work in public health, disaster relief, and lifesaving classes.