On War

Description

On War (Vom Kriege) is a seminal work on military strategy and theory written by the Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, and published posthumously by his wife in 1832. The book explores the nature of war, its complexities, and the principles that govern it. Clausewitz begins by discussing the essence of war, then introduces the concept of the trinity of war, which consists of the government, the military, and the people, he emphasizes the inevitability of friction in war, which includes the uncertainties, fog, and challenges that can disrupt military plans. The book then delves into the differences between strategy (the overall plan for achieving political goals) and tactics (the specific methods used in battle). Throughout, Clausewitz stresses that war is a tool of statecraft and should serve the interests of the state. Known for its deep philosophical insights into the nature of conflict, On War has had a profound influence on military thought and strategy and Clausewitz's ideas continue to be studied and debated by military professionals, scholars, and strategists to this day.

This book has 107,204 words, 186 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1832. This translation by J. J. Graham was originally published in 1874.

Production notes: This ebook of On War was published by Global Grey in 2019, and updated on the 12th September 2023. The artwork used for the cover is 'Napoleon at the Battle of Rivoli' by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux.