On War Volume I
Published on 18. November 2020
Book
Hardback
354 pages
978-1-64679-287-0 (ISBN)
Description
"War is not merely a political act, but also a real political instrument, a continuation of political commerce, a carrying out of the same by other means." -Carl von Clausewitz, On War, 1832
On War is Carl von Clausewitz' masterpiece on war and military strategy, which was written between 1816 and 1830 and was published posthumously by his wife Marie von Clausewitz (née von Brühl) in 1832.
Three main concepts of war stand out: war should be seen as an instrument of politics; the military objectives in war that support one's political objectives fall into two types: "war to achieve limited aims" and war to "disarm" the enemy; and the course of war will tend to favor the party with the stronger emotional and political motivations, but especially the defender.
This edition is the classical translation of On War (1873) by Col. J.J. Graham, with an introduction and notes by Colonel F.N. Maude, published in three volumes. A must-read for military historians and theorists, policy makers, and anyone interested in understanding the philosophy and concepts of war.
More details
Language
English
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
631 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64679-287-0 (9781646792870)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Carl von Clausewitz was a Prussian general and military theorist born on July 1, 1780, in Burg bei Magdeburg, within the Kingdom of Prussia. From a young age, Clausewitz was immersed in military life, joining the Prussian army at age 12 and later fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. He was well-regarded for his intellectual approach to military science and received formal education at the Prussian Military Academy in Berlin. His career saw various roles, including service as an aide to notable military leaders, participation in the 1806 campaign against Napoleon, and a brief period serving in the Russian army.Clausewitz's most enduring legacy is his treatise, On War (Vom Kriege), which he wrote during his lifetime but left unfinished upon his death in 1831. This seminal work delves into the theory and philosophy of war, examining its complexities, the influence of politics, and the concept of the "fog of war"-the inherent uncertainty and chaos in warfare. Clausewitz's insights on strategy, tactics, and the dynamics of armed conflict, such as his idea of war as "a continuation of politics by other means," have had a lasting impact on military thought.The influence of Clausewitz's ideas extended far beyond his lifetime, shaping the strategies of military leaders and theorists globally. His concept of the "trinity" of war-encompassing the government, military, and people-has become a cornerstone of modern military studies. Clausewitz's work remains relevant to this day, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding both conventional and unconventional warfare, and he is considered one of the foremost thinkers in the field of military strategy and philosophy.