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. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and intellectuals. He is generally well known for his military treatise vom kriege, converted into english as on war. On war is the most noteworthy endeavor in western history to get war, both in its inner elements and as an instrument of approach. Graham 1808 1883 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 decided by swift, concentrated action and superior effort. He coined the famous or infamous depending on how you see it war is the continuation of politics by another means.
On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. Reading his book is required at military academies today. This volume of on war includes topics of the nature, theory, and strategy of war and combat. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in. Graham translation published by nicholas trubner in london in 1873. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your scholarly or research work.
On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. War is a trial of moral and physical forces by means of the latter. His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. It has been translated into english several times as on war. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. This chapter contains clausewitz s most famous saying about war, that it is the continuation of politics policy. Graham translation of clausewitzs vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. New and revised edition with introduction and notes by col.
Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. 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. Written two centuries ago by a prussian military thinker, this is the most frequently cited, the most controversial, and in many ways, the most modern book on warfare. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general. Princeton university press books are printed on acidfree paper. The genesis of on war peter paret the influence of clausewitz michael howard the continuing relevance of on war bernard brodie on war. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. He was a professional soldier but his legacy is that of a military strategist and theorist.
War of course involves a contest of physical force. Clausewitz was born on june 1, 1780 in the kingdom of prussia to a lower middleclass family. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Clausewitz had set about revising his accumulated manuscripts in 1827, but did not live to finish the task. This concept was featured in the first half of the first chapter of his most famous book, on war. War is a continuation of politics by different means. Grahams translation of the original work is adequate. In the last analysis it is at moral, not physical strength that all military action is directed moral factors, then, are the ultimate determinants in war. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. 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. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or. 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.
The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. It is an extraordinary attempt to construct an allembracing theory of how war works. Most of it was written after the napoleonic wars and was published after his death. It is derived from the german original, clausewitz s vom kriege berlin. Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown below. Its coherence and ambition are unmatched by other military literature.
In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read on war. Feb 26, 2006 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by. However, grahams edition only contains the first four books of the work. Adorned with many historical examples, this book is certainly historys greatest masterpiece. War is merely a wrestling match on an extensive scale, an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will. Read the soft copy of this book anytime, anywhere and download it for free. These books give the theory and goals of war that can be applied to conquering meeting rooms and empires. His magnus opus on war is used by military historians, strategists, and politicians to this day.