On War holds a unique phce among writings on military theory. Clausewitz himself expressed the hope that his study would not be forgotten after two or three years, and might be picked up more than once by those who are interested in the subject. This modest ambition has been more than fulfilled. On War has been described as the only truly great book on its subject, and the first to propose a comprehensive theory applicable to every stage of military history and practice.
On War is perhaps the greatest book ever written about war. Carl yon Clausewitz, a Prussian soldier, had witnessed at first hand the immense destructive power of the French Revolutionary armies which swept across Europe between 1792 and 1815. His response was to write a comprehensive text covering every aspect of warfare. On War is both a philosophical and practical work in which Clausewitz defines the essential nature of war, debates the qualities of the great commander, assesses the relative strengths of defensive and offensive warfare, and in highly controversial passages considers the relationship between war and politics. His arguments are illustrated with vivid examples drawn from the campaigns of Frederick the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte. For the student of society as well as the military historian, On War remains a comelling and indispensable source.
INTRODUCTION
BOOK I
On the Nature of War
I What is War?
II End and Means in War
III The Genius for War
IV Of Danger in War
V Of Bodily Exertion in War
VI Information in War
VII Friction in War
VIII Concluding Remarks
BOOK II
On the Theory of War
I Branches of the Art of War
II On the Theory of War
III Art or Science of War
IV Methodicism
V Criticism
VI On Examples
BOOK III
Of Strategy in General
I Strategy
II Elements of Strategy
III Moral Forces
IV The Chief Moral Powers
V Military Virtue of an Army
VI Boldness
VII Perseverance
VIII Superiority of Numbers
IX The Surprise
X Stratagem
XI Assembly of Forces in Space
XII Assembly of Forces in Time
XIII Strategic Reserve
XIV Economy of Forces
XV Geometrical Element
XVI On the Suspension of the Act in War
XVII On the Character of Modern War
XVIII Tension and Rest
BOOK IV
The Combat
I Introductory
II Character of a Modern Battle
III The Combat in General
IV The Combat in General (CONTINUATION)
V On the Signification of the Combat
VI Duration of Combat
VII Decision of the Combat
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