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On War (Hardcover)

by Carl von Clausewitz (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 784 pages
  • Publisher: Everyman's Library; New edition edition (20 May 1993)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1857151216
  • ISBN-13: 978-1857151213
  • Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 13.4 x 4.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 110,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

First published in 1832, this study is a Western attempt to understand war, in terms of its internal dynamics, and its use as an instrument of policy. This new edition includes a commentary by Bernard Brodie, a former Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Translation..., 5 Nov 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: On War (Paperback)
Without going into the details and virtues of Clusewitz's work (suffice to say that whether you agree with what he says or not, this is compulsory reading for anyone interested in war and strategy) I think it's important to point out that this particular translation (by Sir Michael Howard and Peter Paret) is widely acclaimed as far and away the best English language translation available. If you are considering getting hold of On War (especially if you are going to be studying it formally), put your hand in your pocket and get this version.
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25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars When it comes to war, Clausewitz wrote the book, 20 Jan 2003
By Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: On War (Hardcover)
Clausewitz treats war as a natural, social organism, which can best be understood by practical experience. In reaction to the attempts by Jomini and other strategists to rationalize the theory and practice of war into discernible, scientific laws, Clausewitz emphasizes the capriciousness of warfare. As in all human endeavors, chance is a random variable in the conduct of war. Implicit in Clausewitzian thought is a distinction between strategy and tactics. While certain principles are useful for tactical calculations, Clausewitz asserts that no "laws" for strategy exist; experience, though, can prove of great use to the military commander. Another Clausewitzian innovation is the idea that defense is a stronger form of war than offense. In defensive warfare, a greater degree of the state's internal resources (including her citizen-soldiers) are brought to bear on the military effort. Clearly, Clausewitz warns that offensive advantage, once it has lost its initial momentum or has seen its concentration of force weakened or divided, can quickly be transmuted into a defensive orientation. Thus, a good defense is necessary for good offense (even if only during momentary pauses).

The main contribution of Clausewitz is represented by his maxim that "war is merely the continuation of policy by other means." In other words, war is basically an extension of politics. The initial motive for warfare is encapsulated by a political objective; war is a means to a political end. Clausewitz argues that policy permeates and essentially determines the character and extent of all military operations; the authority of the military commander is circumscribed by the political aims of the state. Thus, Clausewitz essentially maintains that the public sector (the state) must exercise authority over military operations. Although he has no use for military formulae, Clausewitz does offer one postulate: when the costs of the military effort exceed (in relative terms) the positive good of the political objective, then the state should seek a peaceful settlement. The good of the state depends on knowing when to stop fighting as well as when to start.

The most important message conveyed by Clausewitz is that war is not an isolated phenomenon. Any considerations for waging war (offensive or defensive) must be based on the political situation at home, in the adversarial state, and in the world community of potential allies and enemies. Military strength in and of itself is not an adequate gauge for success. A defensive war can be a victorious effort, should the assailant overextend himself. Beyond this, the desire to maintain the balance of power is a strong stimulus for foreign involvement. All in all, Clausewitz portrays war as a human endeavor, involving chance (or "friction") as well as skill. War is not a game involving the maneuverability of human instruments; victory can only be secured on the battlefield. On War is a realistic, pragmatic approach to warfare in all its facets--skill and luck, offense and defense, battle and statecraft, etc. The subservience of the armed forces to political control remains a strong source of friction in today's states--this is only one aspect of the timelessness of Clausewitz's work.

Certainly, On War is a long, difficult read. For those, both citizens and soldiers, who wish to truly understand warfare, however, it is required reading which will ultimately richly reward the diligent reader with much insight and knowledge.

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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive work; Definitive translation, 8 Dec 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: On War (Paperback)
Technology has made the details of Clausewitz's work obsolescent -- for example night attacks by US forces are highly effective. And strategic nuclear war approaches what Von Clausewitz thought merely an abstraction: "absolute war." Nonetheless, "On War" remains the definitive text on the unchanging fundamentals of military strategy and the relationship of force and policy.

"On War" will always be a dense and difficult work to read; it has so much information in so (comparatively) little space, and the concepts are frequently new to modern eyes. Nonetheless, a great translation makes the book far more accessible than does a poor one (such as the Wordsworth edition uses). The Howard/Paret translation is the definitive English language version. Any student of war, or even of politics, should read this book in this translation.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Text on War
This is not an easy book to read nor understand. It takes several readings. A large investment in time will allow the reader to understand Clausewitz's system and the remarkable... Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2007 by M. A. Ramos

1.0 out of 5 stars too tough
Having read The Prince and The Art of War I thought I could handle this book. I was wrong. It's so dense, so indecipherable. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2003 by ixm2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Good (theoretical) view of nineteenth Century warefare
An interesting read. The basis for von Clausewitz' arguments are based very much in abstract theory - and they can be pretty heavy going at times. Read more
Published on 13 April 2000

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