Graham translation published by nicholas trubner in london in 1873. His theories and observations in this work have been heeded by military strategists for nearly two. Clausewitzs conception of war is strikingly unique. However, for clausewitz, polarity does not lie in attack or defense, but in the object both seek to achieve. A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. It represented clausewitzs theoretical development up to that point, translated into a form suitable for his young. On war is the most noteworthy endeavor in western history to get war, both in its inner elements and as an instrument of approach. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and intellectuals. Theory was beginning to drift in this direction until the facts of the last war clausewitz alludes here to the wars of liberation, 18,14,15. Free of technical jargon, and suitable for modern readers. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A biography oxford professor and author hew strachan talks about his book, clausewitz s on war.
Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been perused all through the world and has animated generations of warriors, statesmen, and learned people. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university. By comparing this theoretical version of war with reality, clausewitz aims to identify how and why these two types of war di. What is the interest for one at a time is not for the other at the same time. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university of. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary. A biography oxford professor and author hew strachan talks about his book, clausewitzs on war. His theories and observations in this work have been heeded by military strategists for nearly two hundred years. Grahams translation of the original work is adequate. Many have considered this to be the bible of military.
Clausewitz was then reassigned to be the tutor for crown prince friedrich wilhelm iv and a professor at the allgemeine military academy. His response was to write a comprehensive text covering every aspect of warfare. Introduction 10 books of on war condensed into five paragraphs. Gatzke stressed clausewitz s unlimited war of annihilation, his absolute. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of. Its part of the books that changed the world series.
On war also widely known by its german name vom kriege is considered to be clausewitz s magnum opus, despite the fact it remained unfinished at the time of his death. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to. Clausewitz, unfinished note, presumably written in 1830, in clausewitz, on war, p. War, however, is not the action of a living force upon a lifeless mass total nonresistance would be no war at all but always the collision of two living forces, the ultimate aim of waging war, as formulated here, must be taken as applying to both sides. Defense is a stronger form of fighting than attack. But on war, which was never finished and was published posthumously, is obscure and fundamentally contradictory. On war, edited and translated by michael eliot howard. Vom kriege van clausewitz was wereldwijd aanleiding tot een stroom. Feb 26, 2006 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
His most notable work, vom kriege, was unfinished at. Clausewitz described war as two kinds 1 ideal war or total war, in its purest form it is unchecked violence and self serving, in other words war for the sake of war, 2 limited war, which is the pursuit of an objective and once accomplished the war must cease. Available in the national library of australia collection. If war is an act of force, it belongs necessarily also to the feelings. Read by timothy ferguson with linda ferguson in section 2. This volume of on war includes topics of the nature, theory, and strategy of war. Christopher bassford rightly states that the trinity is the concept that ties all. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary i have just finished reading on wars book 1 by clausewitz. Many have considered this to be the bible of military strategy and tactics. All of them elucidate clausewitzs contention that while the character of war inevitably varies with the age, its nature remains the same.
He was a prussian war strategist who lived in the late 18th and early 19th century. This new 2017 edition of volume i from enhanced media publishing features a revised translation. We propose to consider first the single elements of our subject, then each branch or part, and, last of all, the whole, in all its relations therefore to advance from the simple to the complex. A prussian soldier and writer, clausewitz is said to have distilled napoleon into theory. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and. These books give the theory and goals of war that can be applied to conquering meeting rooms and empires. In clausewitzs view the idea of total war was an impossibility, although in. In spite of its battlefield specificity, the art of war has found new life in the modern age, with leaders in fields as wide and farreaching as world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy finding valuable insight. In section 2, the reader timothy ferguson was assisted by linda ferguson. It was a very difficult book to read and i think ive made some errors in interpretation plus grammar and spelling. Nov 11, 2015 on war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. The chapters of the art of war, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, were compiled by the highranking chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher suntzu.
Clausewitz served on this commission eventually running scharnhorsts office until 1810. In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. But it is necessary for us to commence with a glance. Published posthumously between 1832 and 1835 by clausewitzs wife, on war delivers a. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your scholarly or research work. It has been translated into english several times as on war. On war is perhaps the greatest book ever written about war. Its the iching of conflict, the contemporary companion to sun tzus the art of war, and is abundantly illustrated with examples from history, including the folly and genius of everyone from napoleon to margaret thatcher, hannibal.
However, grahams edition only contains the first four books of the work. In clausewitz s view the idea of total war was an impossibility, although in. All action, therefore, takes place on the supposition that if the solution by force of arms which lies at its foundation should be realised, it will be a favourable one. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Gatzke stressed clausewitzs unlimited war of annihilation, his absolute war, without mentioning the other possibilities covered by the theory in on war.
This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general. It is derived from the german original, clausewitzs vom kriege berlin. War is merely a wrestling match on an extensive scale, an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will. This audiobook is based on a 1909 english translation. Following this france and russia would go to war and clausewitz would not stand idle by while prussia allowed. Graham 1808 1883 a classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. Published posthumously between 1832 and 1835 by clausewitz s wife, on war delivers a deep insight into various concepts and schools of thought connected to war. Dec 12, 2008 a prussian soldier and writer, clausewitz is said to have distilled napoleon into theory.