Carl von Clausewitz's On War
A Biography (A Book that Shook the World)
Published on 8. October 2007
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-84354-391-6 (ISBN)
Description
On War by Carl von Clausewitz was first published in Germany after the Napoleonic Wars. One of the most significant treatises on military strategy ever written, it is still prescribed at various military academies today. Its description of 'absolute war' and its insistence on the centrality of battle to war have been blamed for the level of destruction involved in both the First and Second World Wars.
Hew Strachan's accessible book challenges the popular misconceptions that surround On War. He dispels the notion that for Clausewitz policy necessarily shapes war, asserting instead that war has its own dynamic and that its reciprocal effects can themselves shape policy. Strachan returns to the very heart of On War to recover the arguments at its core; in the process challenging the received wisdom about this cornerstone of military strategy.
Hew Strachan's accessible book challenges the popular misconceptions that surround On War. He dispels the notion that for Clausewitz policy necessarily shapes war, asserting instead that war has its own dynamic and that its reciprocal effects can themselves shape policy. Strachan returns to the very heart of On War to recover the arguments at its core; in the process challenging the received wisdom about this cornerstone of military strategy.
Reviews / Votes
"'A towering achievement.' Richard Holmes, Guardian 'One of the most impressive books of modern history in a generation.' Max Hastings, Evening Standard"More details
Series
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 205 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
377 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84354-391-6 (9781843543916)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Hew Strachan is Chichele Professor of the History of War at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of All Souls College. He has published widely on war: his most recent works include The First World War: Volume 1: To Arms published in 2001 to widespread critical acclaim and The First World War: A New Illustrated History, which was published in 2003.