On War the Book

[PatriotnMore]

Has anyone read Carl Von Clausewitz?

I am sure he is still studied at our military academies, and many of his thoughts on war are timeless. However, how do you see this being helpful in today's guerrilla warfare, and net-centric battlefields? It would appear that because of technology, and weapon advancement, much of his thoughts are antiquated (granted his work was written in 1832) and although worth studying, it does not have a modern day application, on much of it.

[MRX9989]

I've heard it's very hard to read. You'd probably be better off reading somebody's research on him. His book is on a reading list for mid-career Army Officers, however.

[blakdawg]

It's available online for free at http://www.clausewitz.com/readings/OnWar1873/TOC.htm. It's also available for free for the Kindle - you can get free Kindle apps for PC's and smartphones so you can read the Kindle version without actually buying a Kindle if you want.

I wouldn't call it an easy read but it's not nearly at the pain-in-the-butt reading level as, say, Kant or Sartre or even Nietzsche.

You can also find the Marine Corps' "Warfighting" text available for free online, which draws to some extent on "On War" - I found "Warfighting" to be very insightful and helpful regarding conflict and strategy generally.

I think Clausewitz is absolutely still relevant, and will continue to be, just as Sun Tzu's "Art of War" continues to be of great value.

[PatriotnMore]

I've heard it's very hard to read. You'd probably be better off reading somebody's research on him. His book is on a reading list for mid-career Army Officers, however.

I am reading the edited and translated version by Michael Howard and Peter Paret. I don't find it particularly difficult to read, but it is a rather large book with somewhat small print.

[PatriotnMore]

It's available online for free at http://www.clausewitz.com/readings/OnWar1873/TOC.htm. It's also available for free for the Kindle - you can get free Kindle apps for PC's and smartphones so you can read the Kindle version without actually buying a Kindle if you want.

I wouldn't call it an easy read but it's not nearly at the pain-in-the-butt reading level as, say, Kant or Sartre or even Nietzsche.

You can also find the Marine Corps' "Warfighting" text available for free online, which draws to some extent on "On War" - I found "Warfighting" to be very insightful and helpful regarding conflict and strategy generally.

I think Clausewitz is absolutely still relevant, and will continue to be, just as Sun Tzu's "Art of War" continues to be of great value.

I'll be more able to have an in depth opinion, once I finish the book. I am going to get a copy of Warfighting, thanks for the recommendation.

[PatriotnMore]

I am a little over half way through, and there are some disturbing personality insights to Clausewitz.

The book drips of over inflated ego, and class division. Also, he treats warfare as one would a chess game. Although the logic is sound, the human element, devastation and cost is viewed from a bean counters perspective.

He expects the average solider to die and fight for the Generals and war planners, and yet although he does not outright say, he hints that the latter only surrender if needed, as if this is a gentleman's game, and the human element is mostly a side note and an after thought.

His approach and actions seem sound, but honestly I read much of the same in a book which by far pre-dates his, Sun Tzu's The Art Of War.

It's interesting reading, but I feel sorry for the foot solider of the day, under commanders like him.