Princeton university press, jun 21, 1989 history 732 pages. The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. Continuously emphasizing that war is a continuity of policy by other means, clausewitz, in his 20 years work, has defined perfectly the theory of war, its tactical and strategic purposes. He is most famous for his military treatise vom kriege complete text available here, translated into english as on war complete text available here. It was unfinished when clausewitz died and contains material. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. Dec 12, 2008 a prussian soldier and writer, clausewitz is said to have distilled napoleon into theory. He was the youngest child of the family and had three elder siblings. In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained.
He joined the russian army to fight against the french invasion of russia. Most of it was written after the napoleonic wars and was published after his death. Graham revolutionized military theory for generations to come. Through night and blood to light, and no work yet written conveys to the thinker a clearer conception of all that the red streak in their flag stands for than this deep and philosophical analysis of war by clausewitz. Clausewitz s conception of war is strikingly unique. Project gutenberg offers 61,882 free ebooks to download. 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 woman behind the making of on war oxford university press, 2015, isbn. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown below. Its coherence and ambition are unmatched by other military literature. It is derived from the german original, clausewitzs vom kriege. Selfreliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment.
His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your scholarly or research work. The result was his principal book, on war, a major work on the philosophy of war. The jolles translation is owned by random house, though it was done for military strachan, clausewitz s on war. By his day, war had become a contest of mass armies, with results decided by swift, concentrated action and superior effort. This is the essential book, and this translation makes it lucid and comprehensible. He studied the human and social factors that affect outcomes, as well as the tactical and. These books give the theory and goals of war that can be applied to conquering meeting rooms and empires. Digital rights management drm the publisher has supplied this book in encrypted form, which means that you need to install free software in order to unlock and read it. Wallach as most would suspect when studying clausewitz is looking to establish relations between the military and politics. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author.
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 and combat. On war is the most noteworthy endeavor in western history to get war, both in its inner elements and as an instrument of approach. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. On war is one of the most important books ever written on the subject of war. It is an extraordinary attempt to construct an allembracing theory of how war works. Graham translation of clausewitzs vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. War is a continuation of politics by different means. He served in the campaigns of 179394 on the rhine, after which he seems to have devoted some time to the study of the scientific branches of his profession. Perhaps best known among his numerous pronouncements is that war is a continuation of politics by other means. His magnus opus on war is used by military historians, strategists, and politicians to this day. Clausewitz, a prussian officer who fought against the french during the napoleonic wars, sought to understand and analyze the phenomenon of war so that future leaders could conduct and win conflicts more effectively. Free of technical jargon, and suitable for modern readers. However, grahams edition only contains the first four books of the work.
Colins french translation as well as extensive commentary on clausewitzs history and theory. Everything you know about clausewitz is wrong the diplomat. 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. War is merely the continuation of policy by other means on war is one of the most important books ever written on the subject of. Nov 12, 2014 everything you know about clausewitz is wrong. The others, historical analyses of the wars that roiled europe from 1789 through 1815, informed and shaped clausewitzs military thought, so they offer invaluable insight into his dialectical, often difficult theoretical masterwork. Clausewitz was an original thinker most influenced by the napoleonic wars in which he fought. June 1, 1780 november 16, 1831 was a prussian soldier and german military theorist who stressed the moral and political aspects of war.
On war is required reading for midgrade us military officers and a common reference and discussion point for operational and strategic analysis. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. His father served as the lieutenant in the prussian army and later on took to working at the prussian internal revenue service. Graham 1808 1883 a classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. Many have considered this to be the bible of military strategy and tactics.
It has been translated into english several times as on war. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. His theories and observations in this work have been heeded by military strategists for nearly two hundred years. He coined the famous or infamous depending on how you see it war is the continuation of politics by another means.
A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. By his day, war had become a contest of mass armies, with results. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. You can also look up this author on the online books page, which may list additional titles from other sites. Clausewitzs conception of war is strikingly unique. Adorned with many historical examples, this book is certainly historys greatest masterpiece. Clausewitz was meant to revise his book but died before finishing the task. A painting of the the battle of moscow, 7th september 1812, from 1822 by louisfrancois lejeune.
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