However, grahams edition only contains the first four books of the work. Clausewitzs theory of war and victory in contemporary. War in its literal meaning is fighting, for fighting alone is the efficient principle in the manifold activity which, in a wide sense, is called war. Grahams translation of the original work is adequate. Attack is the weaker form of war with a positive object. Since howard and paret have expressed concern on more than one occasion that their translation of on war might be too clean, the translations in this essay are my own. Clausewitz on war, book 2 chapter one national security and. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary i have just finished reading on wars book 1 by clausewitz. Chicago boyz blog archive clausewitz, on war, book 1.
Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. In the later book, with a forewarning of liddellharts better peace, he declares. It has been translated into english several times as on war. In the context of this chapter, which actually explores the relationship between objectives and the military means used. In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. Although war is a physical contest, the moral component cannot be omitted for the condition of the mind has always the most decisive influence on the forces employed in war.
Chicago boyz blog archive clausewitz, on war, book 1 my. Graham 1808 1883 a classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. When last we spoke carl had just hit on the importance of feelings. We propose to consider first the single elements of our subject. War is merely a wrestling match on an extensive scale, an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will. They range from the magnificent opening sequence of logically unfolding propositions to the rich but at times onesided or. Clausewitz, on war, book 1, chapter 1, 2 definition. The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. I propose to consider first the various elements of the.
On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and. A clausewitzian framework for analysis springerlink. In book 1, chapter 1, clausewitz starts with describing his method, that is considering the various elements and then combining them into a theoretical whole which provides for an acceptable balance of all the complexity and tensions of these elements while also allowing their dynamic nature to remain theoretically speaking. Although this distinction is commonly misattributed to clausewitz, he did not use the term nature in quite this way. War is an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will book 1, part 2, p. Clausewitz s on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. His insistence that clausewitz was preoccupied with the role of the state, postwestphalia, is. He did not live to see the book appear in print but its influence was profound in prussia and then in the unified german nation state during the. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy early military career. The book was compiled from his writings following his experiences and lessons learned during the napoleonic wars. Chapter summary for carl clausewitzs on war, book 1 chapter 1 summary. Introduction i propose to consider first the various elements of the subject, next its vari ous parts or sections, and finally the whole in its internal structure. Those things which as elements meet together in the atmosphere of war and make it a resistant medium for every activity, we have designated under the terms danger, bodily effort exertion, information, and friction.
First, the desire to minimize the destructive nature of conflict. His insistence that clausewitz was preoccupied with the role of the state, postwestphalia, is used to bolster his argument that clausewitz cannot anymore be used to understand warfare in. In their impedient effects they may therefore be comprehended again in the collective notion of a general friction. A clausewitz for every season the american interest. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in. On war thus presents its authors thoughts in various stages of completion. If youre following along in the modern library war series edition, were on page 273. The elements in this chapter are presented in numbered sections, as follows.
Clausewitz defines the single elements of his subject and thus to advance from the simple to the complex while outlining the shape of the whole that is, war war is defined as an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfil our will. War is a continuation of politics by different means. A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. May 15, 2018 clausewitz knew the real world was very different and said as much in book 1 chapter 2 and book 8 chapter 6. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general. Clausewitz on nature and character of war 1486 words. Clausewitz leave a comment at long last, the muchawaited conclusion to book 1, chapter 1 of on war. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university of. Clausewitz, on war, book 1, chapter 1, 1 introduction.
War is thus more than a mere chameleon, because it changes its nature seine natur to some extent in each concrete case. Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown below. We propose to consider first the single elements of our. Hew strachan is chichele professor of the history of war at oxford university and director of its leverhulme programme on the changing character of war. While book 2 is not considered complete, yet it is so important to understanding clausewitzs study of war, that it cannot be disregarded. The translation of clausewitzs on war is the 1943 version done by german literary scholar o. It was a very difficult book to read and i think ive made some errors in interpretation plus grammar and spelling. Matthijs jolles at the university of chicago during world war iinot todays standard translation, but. Princeton university press books are printed on acidfree paper. The translation of clausewitz s on war is the 1943 version done by german literary scholar o. In other words, i shall proceed from the simple to the complex. Ends and means in war clausewitz now considers the ends and means of war. Clausewitz was born on june 1, 1780 in the kingdom of prussia to a lower middleclass family.
Using a clausewitzian dictum to rethink achieving victory. Buy the best translationrecommended for serious readers. At long last, the muchawaited conclusion to book 1, chapter 1 of on war. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your scholarly or research work. Due to the various editions of this work in print, i have included, in addition to the page number, the book, chapter, and section identifiers for. When considering the each individual part of war, its relation to war as an entirety must also be kept in view 2definition. He was a professional soldier but his legacy is that of a military strategist and theorist.
Stated precisely, the defensive form of warfare is intrinsically stronger than the offense 353. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. His brief description of the trinity comes at the end of book 1, chapter 1 the only chapter we know he considered complete 10 and is presented under the. If one reads nothing else of clausewitz, book one is sufficient as it holds the most information for those not about to launch nineteenth century military campaigns. Let us just consider the nature of this foundation, its want of trustworthiness, its changefulness, and we shall soon feel what a dangerous edifice war is, how easily it may fall to pieces. The trinity can be seen as the apotheosis of his theorising.
His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. He did not live to see the book appear in print but its influence was profound in prussia and then in the unified german nation state during the course of the 19th century. But fighting is a trial of strength of the moral and physical forces by means of the latter. Indextags are found on the bottom of the left column. But in war more than in any other subject we must begin by looking at the nature of the. Nov 14, 20 while book 2 is not considered complete, yet it is so important to understanding clausewitzs study of war, that it cannot be disregarded. Jan 01, 2009 clausewitz, on war, book 1, chapter 1, 7 war is n. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary. This is the book that regards the most in areas of military philosophy i.
By the word information, we denote all the knowledge which we have of the enemy and his country. Clausewitzs on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. Clausewitz knew the real world was very different and said as much in book 1 chapter 2 and book 8 chapter 6. Having in the foregoing chapter ascertained the complicated and variable nature of war, we shall now occupy ourselves in examining into the influence which this nature has upon the end and means in war if we ask first of all for the aim upon which the whole war is to be directed, in order that it may be the right means for the attainment of the. Clausewitz begins his treatise by dispelling the foolish notions which many wish to bring to the matter of armed conflict. By comparing this theoretical version of war with reality, clausewitz aims to identify how and why these two types of war di. Clausewitz defines the single elements of his subject and thus to advance from the simple to the complex while outlining the shape of the whole that is, war. Free of technical jargon, and suitable for modern readers. Tactically, defense is the stronger form of war with a weakeror negativeobject.
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