Clausewitz book 1 chapter 1

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. 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. It was a very difficult book to read and i think ive made some errors in interpretation plus grammar and spelling. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university. At long last, the muchawaited conclusion to book 1, chapter 1 of on war.

Using a clausewitzian dictum to rethink achieving victory. Clausewitz on nature and character of war 1486 words. It has been translated into english several times as on war. Although this distinction is commonly misattributed to clausewitz, he did not use the term nature in quite this way. By comparing this theoretical version of war with reality, clausewitz aims to identify how and why these two types of war di.

Clausewitz, on war, book 1, chapter 1, 2 definition. If youre following along in the modern library war series edition, were on page 273. 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. In the context of this chapter, which actually explores the relationship between objectives and the military means used. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and. Chicago boyz blog archive clausewitz, on war, book 1. Chapter summary for carl clausewitzs on war, book 1 chapter 1 summary. In their impedient effects they may therefore be comprehended again in the collective notion of a general friction. The trinity can be seen as the apotheosis of his theorising. 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. In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. Ends and means in war clausewitz now considers the ends and means of war. 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. 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.

First, the desire to minimize the destructive nature of conflict. Clausewitz on war, book 2 chapter one national security and. Attack is the weaker form of war with a positive object. Grahams translation of the original work is adequate. 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.

However, grahams edition only contains the first four books of the work. 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. When last we spoke carl had just hit on the importance of feelings. His insistence that clausewitz was preoccupied with the role of the state, postwestphalia, is. Indextags are found on the bottom of the left column. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. The elements in this chapter are presented in numbered sections, as follows. 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. The translation of clausewitzs on war is the 1943 version done by german literary scholar o. The book was compiled from his writings following his experiences and lessons learned during the napoleonic wars. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in. 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.

Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. Chicago boyz blog archive clausewitz, on war, book 1 my. War is an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will book 1, part 2, p. By the word information, we denote all the knowledge which we have of the enemy and his country. 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. But fighting is a trial of strength of the moral and physical forces by means of the latter. Clausewitz leave a comment at long last, the muchawaited conclusion to book 1, chapter 1 of on war. The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today.

Stated precisely, the defensive form of warfare is intrinsically stronger than the offense 353. War is thus more than a mere chameleon, because it changes its nature seine natur to some extent in each concrete case. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary i have just finished reading on wars book 1 by clausewitz. He was a professional soldier but his legacy is that of a military strategist and theorist. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general.

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. His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the napoleonic wars. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and. Princeton university press, 1984, particularly if you are using this book for your scholarly or research work. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university of. While book 2 is not considered complete, yet it is so important to understanding clausewitzs study of war, that it cannot be disregarded. 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. They range from the magnificent opening sequence of logically unfolding propositions to the rich but at times onesided or. In other words, i shall proceed from the simple to the complex.

Though the aim of a war is as variable as the political object and the circumstances of the war, there are three general objects of war. In the second chapter of the second book, strategy has been defined as the employment of the battle as the. The translation of clausewitz s on war is the 1943 version done by german literary scholar o. A clausewitz for every season the american interest. 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. Princeton university press books are printed on acidfree paper. Matthijs jolles at the university of chicago during world war iinot todays standard translation, but. 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 thus presents its authors thoughts in various stages of completion. Clausewitz begins his treatise by dispelling the foolish notions which many wish to bring to the matter of armed conflict.

Buy the best translationrecommended for serious readers. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. Clausewitz, on war, book 1, chapter 1, 1 introduction. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. Jan 01, 2009 clausewitz, on war, book 1, chapter 1, 7 war is n. Free of technical jargon, and suitable for modern readers. On war, book 1 by clausewitz my interpretation and summary. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy early military career.

Consider the more modern versions and other relevant books shown below. Clausewitzs on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. I propose to consider first the various elements of the. Clausewitz was born on june 1, 1780 in the kingdom of prussia to a lower middleclass family. 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. This is the book that regards the most in areas of military philosophy i. Clausewitz knew the real world was very different and said as much in book 1 chapter 2 and book 8 chapter 6. We propose to consider first the single elements of our. Clausewitz s on war and sun tzus art of war in one volume. 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.