- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: OUP USA; First Edition edition (2 Jun 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0195083830
- ISBN-13: 978-0195083835
- Product Dimensions: 24.4 x 16.3 x 2.5 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,580,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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"In the course of an illuminating discussion, Bassford says a great deal about Anglo-American strategic thought in the modern period....An interesting study that has something to say to many audiences, including those concerned with the state of contemporary military thought or intellectual history."--Foreign Affairs
"Bassford succinctly summarizes Clausewitz's theories and charts their journey through the English-speaking world, while also illustrating many aspects of the diffusion of ideas."--Choice
"Clausewitz in English is an outstanding book on many levels...This is a must-read book for anyone with pretensions to an understanding of Clausewitz and the major movements in modern Western military thought."--Military History
"In a book everyone concerned with future U.S. military strategy should read, Bassford, a professor at the Marine Command and Staff College, gives us some important insights."--Strategic Review
"Bassford tell a great story of dutiful struggle and p
Product Description
Clausewitz in English is a work of intellectual history that examines the reception of Carl von Clausewitz's military theories in Britain and the United States up to 1945. In the first comprehensive study of the literature, Christopher Bassford argues that the impact of Clausewitzian theory - particularly the classic On War, published in 1832 - has been underestimated and he follows the trail of Clausewitzian influence from pre-1873 Britain to 1945. Bassford finds that among those who explicitly discussed Clausewitz and his theories were soldiers, journalists, historians, political scientists and propagandists. In bringing this literature to light, Clausewitz in English makes a persuasive case for Clausewitzian theory having had a major impact on the broad development of British and American military thinking. It will be of interest to a wide range of military and intellectual historians.
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2 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
An Expert Guide to War History and Theory 1832-Today
27 Feb 2000
Format:Hardcover
This is one book that offers much MORE than its title promises. Not only do the opening chapters offer one of the clearest expositions of Clausewitz's rather abstruse (though worthwhile) writings on the philosophy and practice of war, but the book presents a clear review and critique of how the principles and practice of war was taught in the English speaking world in the past century and a half. The reception of Clausewitz in the US and the former British Commonwealth nations has been mixed, as Bassford shows through his skilfull and fascinating tour of military academy textbooks and the writings of thinkers such as Liddell Hart, Fuller, Hamley, Henderson, and some lesser known lehrmasters of modern combat. This is not dry academic theorizing but a well-written crash course in the way our conception of the higher direction of war has evolved. Bassford shows how, the taint of Prussian, then German "militarism" has unfairly been used against Clausewitz by superficial (or cynical) interpreters ... people who use C. to embellish the "martinet" stereotype.
Whether or not you agree with Bassford's criticisms of well-respected modern military historians such as Liddell-Hart and Keegan, his arguments are cogent and clear.
Anyone addressing the "problem" of total war should consult this book and keep it handy.
Intellectual Contagions, Snobbery, & Strategic Thought
5 May 2010
Format:Hardcover
This book is a very good treatment of the process by which Clausewitz's work would come to influence the English-speaking world. Clausewitz is recognized today as one of the pillars of strategic thought. His influence, however, would not be felt in his day within the English world because of his service to the Prussian army. His insights were very strong, but they were relatively unnoticed because the English possess their own traditions and disliked those who had worked for their enemies. But as time went on, the English would search, slowly, for thought that would help them improve their fighting skills. They would start to find this in Clausewitz's work, but it took decades for its effect to sink in and be recognized. The author does a great job of detailing how this occurred and why it mattered. A good book, but not for many readers because of its narrow topic.
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