Translated by JJ Graham revised by FN Maude Abridged & with an Introduction by Louise Willmot On War is perhaps the greatest book ever written about war Carl von Clausewitz a Prussian soldier had witnessed at first hand the immense destructive power of the French Revolutionary armies which swept across Europe between 1792 & 1815 His response was to write a comprehensive text covering every aspect of warfare On War is both a philosophical & practical work in which Clausewitz defines the essential nature of war debates the qualities of the great commander assesses the relative strengths of defensive & offensive warfare &
- in highly controversial passages
- considers the relationship between war & politics His arguments are illustrated with vivid examples drawn from the campaigns of Frederick the Great & Napoleon Bonaparte For the student of society as well as the military historian On War remains a compelling & indispensable source