On War

Front Cover
Princeton University Press, Sep 2, 2008 - History - 752 pages

The most authoritative and feature-rich edition of On War in English

Carl von Clausewitz’s On War is the most significant attempt in Western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. Since the work's first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, political leaders, and intellectuals. First published in 1976 and revised in 1984, Michael Howard and Peter Paret’s Princeton edition of Clausewitz’s classic work has itself achieved classic status and is widely regarded as the best translation and standard edition of On War in English. This feature-rich edition includes an essay by Paret on the genesis of Clausewitz’s book, an essay by Howard on Clausewitz’s influence, and an essay by Bernard Brodie on the continuing relevance of On War. In addition, Brodie provides a lengthy and detailed commentary on and guide to reading On War, and the edition also includes a comprehensive index.

 

Selected pages

Contents

On War
59
On the Nature of War
73
On the Theory of War
125
On Strategy in General
175
The Engagement
223
Military Forces
277
Defense
355
The Attack
521
War Plans
575
A Commentary
639
Index
713
Copyright

Other editions - View all

On War
Carl von Clausewitz
Limited preview - 2007
On War
Carl von Clausewitz
Limited preview - 1984
On War
Carl von Clausewitz
No preview available - 2007
View all »

Common terms and phrases

absolute war achieve action activity advance guard advantage army army's art of war attack Austrian B. H. Liddell Hart battle become billets Blücher Bonaparte Book campaign cavalry chapter circumstances Clausewitz commander concentrated concept considered corps course danger decision defeat defender's defense destruction effect effort elements enemy enemy's forces engagement fact factors favorable fighting forces flank fortresses Frederick French greater Hans Rothfels idea important kind less limited lines of communication loss main force major matter means military mind moral Moscow mountain warfare mountains nature never object offensive one's opponent Peter Paret political position possible Princeton University principle purpose rear reason resistance result retreat Rhine river roads Russian Scharnhorst Schlieffen Plan Seven Years War side Silesia single situation strategic strength success superiority tactical terrain territory theater of operations theory tion troops turn usually victory warfare wars whole

About the author (2008)

Michael Howard (1922–2019) was a leading British military historian who held professorships at the University of Oxford and Yale University. His many books included The Franco-Prussian War and War in European History. Peter Paret (1924–2020) was professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. His many books include Clausewitz in His Time, The Cognitive Challenge of War (Princeton), and Clausewitz and the State (Princeton). He received the Pritzker Literary Award for lifetime achievement in military writing. Bernard Brodie (1910–1978), who wrote widely on military and nuclear strategy, was professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Bibliographic information

TitleOn War
AuthorCarl von Clausewitz
Translated byMichael Howard, Peter Paret
Editionreprint
PublisherPrinceton University Press, 2008
ISBN1400837405, 9781400837403
Length752 pages
Subjects ›  › 

History / Military / Strategy
History / Wars & Conflicts / General
History / World
Political Science / International Relations / General
  
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