Wildfire signs new Peter Apps book on geopolitics, tech and conflict, follow-up to critically acclaimed The Next World War
Wildfire are delighted to announce they have acquired a new book by Peter Apps, provisionally titled The Battle for the World exploring the global fight for power, resources and control in the AI age. Editorial Director Philip Connor acquired World All Languages from Antony Topping at Greene and Heaton just as The Next World War paperback hit shelves to strong headline-fuelled demand.
Where that book looked at how fears of global conflict were already reshaping the world, the next will tell the human stories of the new confrontations taking place now beneath the surface, from the hunt for rare earths and other resource to AI superintelligence, space, drone and missile wars.
Philip says: ‘Publishing Peter has been one of the highlights of my career. His books are an absolute must read for anyone who wants to understand the world today. Ever since it was first conceived, The Next World War has become ever more relevant – and indeed essential. We knew Peter’s writing, and his reading of the audiobook, were special but even so we’ve been blown away by the response from readers.’
Peter’s The Next World War: The New Age of Global Conflict and the Fight to Stop it was one of Wildfire’s standout titles of 2026, already published in Polish translation with German and Vietnamese editions soon to follow. The audiobook was one of the top military and history audiobooks of the year, occupying first place in Audible’s top trending titles in those genres. The paperback was published on 10th September 2026.
Iain Dale called the book ‘Truly excellent . . . a gripping tour de force. Every politician and military expert needs to read this book”. The Telegraph called it ‘Incredibly well sourced’ and described Peter ‘one of the most plugged-in voices in modern warfare,’ while The Economist praised ‘vivid reporting with shrewd analysis’, and the Cipher Brief called it ‘a work of genuine consequence.’
Peter is global defence commentator at Reuters, a British Army reservist and executive director of pop-up think tank the Project for Study of the 21st Century (PS21). He has also served in the British Army as a specialist reservist, and presents the international defence podcast Facing Coming Storms for the British Army think tank The Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research.
Peter says: “I write for real people who care about the changing world and are making real decisions, whether as a top NATO commander or a casual railway station bookshop buyer who wants to get behind the headlines as they wonder what to tell their families. It’s been fantastic to work with Wildfire and reception for The Next World War has been fantastic – particularly military personnel in the UK and beyond who often consume the audio in the gym or driving.”
“The initial research for Battle for the World is already proving fascinating – and I am really looking forward to working with Philip and Wildfire again on telling those stories.”
The Next World War is available now in paperback, ebook and audio Follow Peter Apps on his website, Substack and other social media feeds. Publicity enquires to Joe.thomas@headline.co.uk
