He coined the famous or infamous depending on how you see it war is the continuation of politics by another means. Wikipedia book on war volume 1 download m4b 87mb download cover art download cd case insert. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more.
Feb 26, 2006 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by. By comparing this theoretical version of war with reality, clausewitz aims to identify how and why these two types of war di. It has been translated into english several times as on war. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and intellectuals. On war is one of the most important books ever written on the subject of war. Clausewitz scholar vanya eftimova bellinger and war.
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. It deals with the different components of war from its nature to its philosophy and to its actual practice such as strategy and tactics. Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown. Clausewitz was born on june 1, 1780 in the kingdom of prussia to a lower middleclass family. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of. 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. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. In it, clausewitz explained that absolute war is a philosophical abstractiona logical fantasythat is impossible in practice because it is not directed or. Graham translation of clausewitzs vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873.
He did not live to see the book appear in print but its influence was profound in prussia and then in the unified german nation state during the course of the 19th century. This is remarkable given that the original text of on war is an unfinished manuscript published posthumously by his wife marie. A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. He coined the famous or infamous depending on how you see it war is the continuation of politics by another. However, grahams edition only contains the first four books of the work.
It was written mostly after the napoleonic wars 18161830. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. Clausewitzs magnum opus in which he ponders the revolution in military affairs made possible by the nation at arms during the french revolution. Grahams translation of the original work is adequate. He was a professional soldier but his legacy is that of a military strategist and theorist. Clausewitzs on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your scholarly or research work. The book is considered one of the most important works on strategy and politicalmilitary analysis ever written, and the book remains controversial and influential to this. On war also widely known by its german name vom kriege is considered to be clausewitzs magnum opus, despite the fact it remained unfinished at the time of his death.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general. The trinity serves as a magnet to balance the three forces of. Read by timothy ferguson with linda ferguson in section 2. 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. He studied the human and social factors that affect outcomes, as well as the. His magnus opus on war is used by military historians, strategists, and politicians to this day. War is merely a wrestling match on an extensive scale, an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will.
The endsheets are of moire fabric with a silk ribbon page marker. Matthijs jolles at the university of chicago during world war iinot todays standard translation, but certainly the most accurate. Sun tzus art of war, machiavellis the prince, and the works of later writers like hartliddel writing of indirection and mao writing of guerilla warfare form other marks on this road. His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death.
The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. War is a trial of moral and physical forces by means of the latter. War of course involves a contest of physical force. In it, clausewitz explained that absolute war is a philosophical abstractiona logical fantasythat is impossible in practice because it is not directed or constrained by. Adorned with many historical examples, this book is certainly historys greatest masterpiece. 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. The translation of clausewitzs on war is the 1943 version done by german literary scholar o. He was commissioned to take part in the campaigns of the first coalition against revolutionary france. In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. Clausewitzs book on war aims to formulate a coherent and comprehensive theory of war. Drawing from influences such as his professor of theology grandfather as well as philosopher immanuel kant, clausewitz is regarded as a very experienced military strategist and the father of war philosophy.
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