Clausewitz, a prussian officer who fought against the french during the napoleonic wars, sought to understand and analyse the phenomenon of war so that future leaders could conduct and win conflicts more effectively. Edited and translated by michael howard and peter paret. 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 works first appearance in 1832, it has been perused all through the world and has animated generations of warriors, statesmen, and learned people. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. This abridged edition by beatrice heuser, using the acclaimed translation by michael howard and peter paret, selects the central books in which clausewitzs views on the nature and theory of war are developed. Fear is a great examiner of ones character, argues the world war ii veteran and eminent historian of war, sir michael howard. Familiarize yourself with the seven years war and the napoleonic wars before picking this up. A very short introduction explains clausewitzs ideas in terms both of his experiences as a professional soldier in the napoleonic wars, and of the intellectual background of his time. Explains how clausewitzs theory relates to his actual experience in the napoleonic wars. Buy the standard english translation of clausewitz s on war, by michael howard and peter paret princeton university press, 197684. A very short introduction by michael howard, 9780192802576, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. A newly abridged edition of clausewitzs classic study of war, using the acclaimed translation by michael howard and peter paret.
A newly abridged edition of clausewitz s classic study of war, using the acclaimed translation by michael howard and peter paret. Michael howard explains clausewitzs ideas in terms both of his experiences as a professional soldier in the napoleonic wars, and of the intellectual background of his time. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read clausewitz. For over 100 years oxford worlds classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. The genesis of on war \ peter paret the influence of clausewitz \ michael howard the continuing relevance of on war \ bernard brodie on war. Sir michael eliot howard om ch cbe mc fba frhists 29 november 1922 30 november 2019 was a british military historian, formerly chichele professor of the history of war, honorary fellow of all souls college, regius professor of modern history at oxford university, robert a. Clausewitz synthesized his thinking by saying that war is controlled by its political object, and. A very short introduction michael howard very short introductions. Clausewitz was in his early twenties when he jotted down his first thoughts on the nature of military processes and. It is the most readable but certain passages have been called by experts to have been somewhat liberally translated from the original german. His study on war was described by the american strategic thinker bernard brodie as not simply the greatest, but the only great book about war. It is derived from the german original, clausewitzs vom kriege berlin. Clausewitz enlisted in the prussian army in 1792, and in 179395 he took part and was commissioned in the campaigns of the first.
Michael howard, 62, a wilson center fellow, holds the regius chair of. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. The 197684 howard paret version is the standard translation today. The uses and abuses of clausewitz militaire spectator. Echevarria ii, clausewitz and contemporary war, 84. This edition, edited and with commentary by sir michael howard and peter pater, is the standard version in use in war colleges today. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Theory and practice in war details clausewitzs rejection of previous theories on the grounds that they did not take sufficient account of the unpredictability of war. Clausewitz draws heavily on examples from the campaigns of frederick the great and napoleon.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. However, the specialist reader should be aware that this translation is contested by some. Tragically, clausewitz died before he could complete his work. Merely by virtue of his place in the history of strategie thought, clausewitz is almost by defi nition among.
Nov 22, 2019 notwithstanding these deterrents, late military pioneers, for example, colin powell has seen clausewitz as light emission from an earlier time, as yet enlightening presentday military problems. Allied force and clausewitzs theory of limited war dtic. A brief overview of the wars between the grand alliance and louis xiv wouldnt hurt either. Clausewitz by michael howard 9780192802576 hardcover. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and intellectuals. He recommends the best books on war, two on strategy and three on what its actually like for soldiers and commanding officers. Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown below. Yet, what he left us captures a number of fundamental truths. This abridged edition by beatrice heuser, using the acclaimed translation by michael howard and peter paret, selects the central books in which clausewitzs views on. It is hard to improve on the approach to studying war and warfare found in historian sir michael howards 1961 seminal essay on how military professionals should develop what clausewitz described as their own theory of war. Simply the classic howard and paret translation of clausewitz. In spite of these obstacles, recent military leaders such as colin powell have found clausewitz to be a beam of light from the past, still illuminating presentday military quandaries.
A painting of the the battle of moscow, 7th september 1812, from 1822 by louisfrancois lejeune. This edition, altered and with a critique by sir michael howard and peter pater, is the standard version being used in war colleges today. This abridged edition by beatrice heuser, using the acclaimed translation by michael howard and peter paret, selects the central books in which clausewitz s views on the nature and theory of war are developed. Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. To this unpredictability clausewitz opposes moral forces. Outlines clausewitzs enduring theory of war, making it of continuing interest to military historians and those interested in the logistics and tactics of war. Generally readers have concentrated on clausewitzs philosophy, theory. Lovett professor of military and naval history at yale university and founder of the department of war studies, king. Theory and practice in war very short introductions. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873.
Michael howard explains clausewitz s ideas in terms both of his experiences as a professional soldier in the napoleonic wars, and of the intellectual background of his time. Clausewitz michael howard pdf a very short introduction by. The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. Sensitively abridged to retain all the essential chapters on the conduct and philosophy of warfare. A very short introduction very short introductions. Synopsis 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. On war is the most noteworthy endeavor in western history to get war, both in its inner elements and as an instrument of approach. Of all the efforts to discover existential truths about the fundamental nature of war, clausewitzs on war comes closest to the mark. On the study of war and warfare modern war institute. On war continues to be read by military strategists, politicians, and others for its timeless insights.
1018 826 1030 313 1320 278 904 783 1497 924 785 1147 903 250 288 8 1074 111 945 1373 57 1175 263 1434 154 695 1295 1454 151 813 705 354 1474 918 1274 795 204 65 512 666 261 516 1311 884 1406 1238 712 985 390 690