On War holds a unique phce among writings on military theory. Clausewitz himself expressed the hope that his study would not be forgotten after two or three years, and might be picked up more than once by those who are interested in the subject. This modest ambition has been more than fulfilled. On War has been described as the only truly great book on its subject, and the first to propose a comprehensive theory applicable to every stage of military history and practice.

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

   INTRODUCTION

                 BOOK I

         On the Nature of War

  I  What is War?

 II  End and Means in War

III  The Genius for War

IV  Of Danger in War

 V  Of Bodily Exertion in War

VI  Information in War

VII  Friction in War

VIII  Concluding Remarks

                 BOOK II

         On the Theory of War

  I  Branches of the Art of War

 II  On the Theory of War

III  Art or Science of War

IV  Methodicism

 V  Criticism

VI  On Examples

             BOOK III

         Of Strategy in General

I  Strategy

  II  Elements of Strategy

 III  Moral Forces

 IV  The Chief Moral Powers

  V  Military Virtue of an Army

  VI  Boldness

 VII  Perseverance

VIII  Superiority of Numbers

 IX  The Surprise

  X  Stratagem

  XI  Assembly of Forces in Space

 XII  Assembly of Forces in Time

XIII  Strategic Reserve

XIV  Economy of Forces

 XV  Geometrical Element

XVI  On the Suspension of the Act in War

XVII  On the Character of Modern War

XVIII  Tension and Rest

             BOOK IV

            The Combat

I  Introductory

II  Character of a Modern Battle

  III  The Combat in General

  IV  The Combat in General (CONTINUATION)

V  On the Signification of the Combat

  VI  Duration of Combat

 VII  Decision of the Combat

……