Guide to Clausewitz's War Treatises
In the world of military strategy, Carl von Clausewitz's seminal work, "On War," remains a cornerstone for understanding the complexities of modern warfare. This article aims to provide a clear and concise guide for field grades (regardless of career field) to navigate Clausewitz's dense theory.
Lt. Col. Nathan K. Finney, a US Army strategist and special assistant to the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, emphasizes the importance of understanding "On War." It introduces theories and themes that illuminate and inform modern-day outlooks on war, leadership, and strategy. Lt. Col. Finney can be found on Twitter @NKFinney.
Another influential figure in the military community is Lt. Col. Joe Byerly, a US Army armor officer who commands 4th Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment and founded the leader development website "From the Green Notebook."
For those interested in the history of Clausewitz, the BBC Radio episode "In Our Time - Clausewitz on War with Sir Michael Howard" provides a comprehensive overview. For a contextual primer, Sir Michael Howard's "Clausewitz: A Very Short Introduction" is highly recommended.
Reading "On War" on one's own can be challenging due to the lack of supplemental material, best translations, and understanding which sections are most relevant today. The translation by Sir Michael Howard and Peter Paret is recommended as it is the most clear translation for practitioners and the version all military leaders reference.
To effectively penetrate Clausewitz's prose, key approaches include focusing on the political context, grasping the "wonderful trinity" of emotion, chance, and policy, and separating but linking strategy and tactics. Emphasizing Clausewitz’s assertion that war is a continuation of politics by other means helps anchor understanding in practical military-political integration rather than abstract theory.
To manage the challenging prose, use reputable translations such as the Howard and Paret edition, which is noted for its clarity. Additionally, complement reading with secondary summaries and modern military doctrine commentary to put Clausewitz’s 19th-century context into present-day relevance.
The podcast "Midrats - Clausewitz Now More Than Ever with Donald Stoker" is recommended before reading "On War." The Dead Prussian Podcast - On Carl von Clausewitz with Donald Stoker" provides a great summary and history of Clausewitz. In this podcast episode, Donald Stoker discusses Clausewitz the soldier.
The edition of War Books aims to provide guidance for those who wish to read Clausewitz on their own or supplement the basic familiarity they gained in ILE. The book "The Strategy Bridge: Theory for Practice" by Colin S. Gray expands on Clausewitz's "theory of war" to formulate a "theory of strategy."
Other recommended books for learning more about Clausewitz include "Clausewitz and the State" by Peter Paret, "Clausewitz's On War: A Biography" by Sir Hew Strachan, "Clausewitz: His Life and Work" by Donald Stoker, "Marie Von Clausewitz: The Woman Behind the Making of On War" by Vanya Bellinger, "The Enlightened Soldier" by Charles Edward White, and "Clausewitz and Contemporary War" by Antulio Echevarria.
In summary, breaking down "On War" by focusing on its foundational ideas of war-politics integration, the nature of war’s unpredictability, and strategic-tactical relationships enables a military leader to distill its dense language into actionable insights. This process also involves relying on trusted translations, secondary analyses, and appreciating Clausewitz’s themes of complexity and adaptability on the battlefield.
- Lt. Col. Nathan K. Finney, a US Army strategist, underscores the significance of Clausewitz's "On War" in military leadership and strategy, as its theories and themes continue to illuminate modern warfare.
- To enhance learning about Clausewitz, one can read the Howard and Paret translation, which is recognized for its clarity and relevance to modern military leaders. Additionally, supplementary reading such as "The Strategy Bridge: Theory for Practice" by Colin S. Gray can provide further understanding of Clausewitz's "theory of war."
- For those interested in Clausewitz's historical context, the BBC Radio episode "In Our Time - Clausewitz on War with Sir Michael Howard" offers a comprehensive overview, while the podcast "Dead Prussian Podcast - On Carl von Clausewitz with Donald Stoker" provides a great summary and history of Clausewitz, focusing on his life as a soldier.
