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aboutTheBook: <p><em>On War </em>(1832) is widely considered to be a landmark book
  on the subject of war. In its serious and thoughtful consideration of why and how
  states engage in warfare, it continues to be an influential piece of writing centuries
  later.</p>
audioUrl: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea26cee07000842ea20-T1657263821.m4a?Expires=1659190024&Signature=Y290xig-HD64Uiop5EtW8dpmywPCR6mSSqxDWC-x4mQbUCwzfqFmybVMrOFiO93NS01aBSQfPvR~rBfFN4A7nVubHyaQc34ssNDBw5~nvy~S0NUatZyLQSqJyHbUIqSbD4QlPkK-v0f43Sijj67Oh2ALTdwfhqzJSFSPml06eDNKhZ95buLzEAnHZU3q5OeZwUFSjkcv7ffyDH8CC4AmENzyH551j8Xh1RKaDlNGX3rfrAuCmSKycC~QNeIDherEMMIELLdkiK0qAU34LPx23-y-n0uVw4IPu4fPu58~e1TCRXyeUtGKTbjqmPH52eTnFywsRumreh9W024ceDFkHg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJXJM6BB7FFZXUB4A
author: Carl von Clausewitz
averageRating: 4.2
browseUrl: /en/nc/browse/books/on-war-en
buyOnAmazonUrl: /en/books/on-war-en/purchase
categories:
- id: 5478901464393200082d0000
  slug: biography-and-history-en
  sprite: biography-and-history
  subtitle: 'Delve into the entire history of humankind: From the fall of the Ottoman
    Empire to the creation of the printing press to reports on Sierra Leone''s civil
    war — we''ll feed your hungry history brain.'
  title: History
  url: /en/nc/categories/biography-and-history-en
- id: 507445d4e4b0c9817ab36591
  slug: politics-and-society-en
  sprite: politics-and-society
  subtitle: Everything you need to know about the different forms of government, as
    well as current and historical political events—we've got you covered.
  title: Politics
  url: /en/nc/categories/politics-and-society-en
category:
  slug: biography-and-history-en
  sprite: biography-and-history
  title: History
chapters:
- action_title: What’s in it for me? Gain a deeper understanding behind the historical
    purposes of war.
  audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1f-T1657263814.m4a
  id: 62c43ea26cee07000842ea1f
  order_no: 0
  signed_audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1f-T1657263814.m4a?Expires=1659190025&Signature=KobUTdzVkGkJDqjlAHh77~WhVVqnMT2hRg678jr-cFp1BqjF65FJL76fJfBk7enzp7gE4tdvyJ2a-RSGdSoCyqJo0FEexdcyAhD4KpstTdrZx83yDojgSNh~pgWpPnCRRNEAZWZBSJuXxWp9di0dvL4-dCjXcxGLo6ef8k5kiaoTriKBDqjZSirUfR5dmA2oRoYvWkcCoulZ6M2595M7psrj7DS21FTCcv-xBUqIqgXlqHSRcIa43W-zBJ4R30kX0O15jUnDJMmW2w~FemyHKU03-mYxq8~~r29m4ecZlQUBA3-L2l-pvLazbuR0hdJZraEau0JPkULkfCaHjt-wWg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJXJM6BB7FFZXUB4A
  text: '<p>The British philosopher Bertrand Russell once said, “War does not determine
    who is right – only who is left.” A lot of us continue to wonder why, in this
    day and age, nations are still attacking other nations and lives continue to be
    lost in armed combat. Even though it was written nearly two centuries ago, Carl
    von Clausewitz’s book continues to offer useful insights into the all too human
    endeavor of war.</p>

    <p>The veteran Prussian general had plenty of experience during the Napoleonic
    Wars and took a very intellectually rigorous approach to the subject. As a result,
    his book is in some ways like an ongoing conversation, attempting to look at all
    sides and weigh all the opposing arguments. It’s a challenging work, made all
    the more so by the fact that it was unfinished when the author died. But that’s
    why your friends at Blinkist are here. We’ll sift through this classic tome together
    and look at some of the most important and most relevant conclusions the author
    came to.</p>

    <p>In these blinks, you’ll learn</p>

    <ul>

    <li>how tactics and strategy can be distinctly different;</li>

    <li>why critics often take the wrong approach when studying past battles; and</li>

    <li>how boldness can be both an advantage and disadvantage in war.</li>

    </ul>'
- action_title: War is about disarming your opponent through force, and it requires
    great presence of mind.
  audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea26cee07000842ea20-T1657263821.m4a
  id: 62c43ea26cee07000842ea20
  order_no: 1
  signed_audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea26cee07000842ea20-T1657263821.m4a?Expires=1659190026&Signature=epCWOlGlQJqSqrMI8buxy0ipr~xUeIu7-L6g2onPJukSF-8CPl2mWAxlOZ8hxCIAvDll-FdZY7QmhdLaekAPYzg5R4wTQ8K6O7pvirrdjTRN0hjHWj1czt1hT~cS5e-QFtZMlGLscjSuw7~8jl6q2lickHlxL6LDbbEAeqiWT6000PXBct~T7~4~umebcFRoVqlrxLfA4lKonYXPaXdGE7ipt0FbwBsHSUi94ZjEvhjSmryG02RPszkMDgGrUcaysTaACKHFmtjChsPxa5mHDYhLE1V9hkRLac4xaKFpI5XN77TQBQT6FFJzKnf5srGYdWWvXK8lw8Y7L6RdJI5u-w__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJXJM6BB7FFZXUB4A
  text: '<p>Before we dive into the heady subject of nineteenth-century warfare, let’s
    take a quick moment to break down the text. Carl von Clausewitz’s <em>On War</em>
    is divided into four sections. The first deals with establishing an agreed-upon
    definition for war, the second gets into theory and criticism, while the third
    and fourth sections touch upon strategy and tactics. So, let’s follow Clausewitz’s
    lead by looking at four Blink chapters that grab some of the main points from
    each section.</p>

    <p>The first question is: What is war? The author boils it down to its most basic
    elements and says that war is essentially a duel that is carried out on a large
    scale. He also compares it to a wrestling match, in that we have two forces, each
    attempting to bend the other to its will. The goal for both sides is to reach
    a point where the other is incapable of fighting any further. More often than
    not, this means that the goal is to disarm the opponent.</p>

    <p>How is this goal achieved? In one word: violence. These days we have culture
    wars and information wars, but in the context of the early nineteenth century,
    the war we’re talking about is by its very nature violent. It uses physical force
    to achieve its ends. For the most part, we’re still talking about two armies,
    with columns of soldiers, squaring off against each other on a battlefield.</p>

    <p>Now, this leads us to one of the first of moral quandaries. Every step of the
    way, the author is interested in exploring the moral issues of war. And right
    from the get-go, we find ourselves faced with a tricky question. Let’s say that
    we admit that war is an inescapably violent affair. How violent must it be? Even
    back then, there were some folks who believed that a war could be decided with
    a minimum amount of bloodshed. The author, however, isn’t convinced. In fact,
    he cautions that such an approach would likely backfire. If the goal is the disarmament
    and bending of your opponent''s will, then using your physical power to its utmost
    extent is the only logical approach. As the author sees it, the idea of moderation
    in war is absurd.</p>

    <p>Clausewitz continues to define war in other ways. He makes a point of stating
    that war isn’t a single battle, nor is it an isolated event. For every war, there’s
    a backstory of events and political decisions that led up to the conflict. Therefore,
    we can see war as a matter of reciprocal actions. This means that every step of
    the way, each side is reacting to the other. Each side must make judgments on
    how best to react. But for the most part, there’ll be an escalation during this
    process until war is declared and one side is disarmed.</p>

    <p>That said, it’s important to note that the result of a war is never the final
    word. If you disarm your opponent today, that doesn’t mean they won’t rearm and
    attack you again tomorrow. In fact, whatever hostility they felt toward you before
    may be small potatoes compared to the anger they feel after being defeated. This
    anger and fierce resentment shouldn’t be underestimated, either. Such motivations
    of spirit can be a deciding factor in an army’s performance.</p>

    <p>This circles back to the author’s insistence that war is a matter of using
    utmost power. Leaving your opponent well-armed and capable of resuming their attack
    just doesn’t make sense. This also touches upon another important characteristic
    of war: the unknown. Some people credit Clausewitz with popularizing the concept
    of the “fog of war.” Indeed, it’s often the case that neither opponent fully knows
    the full extent of the other’s armament, their position, or how many soldiers
    they have in reserve. As a result, commanders are often forced to make decisions
    with incomplete information. This fact can also be seen to support the idea that
    one uses their utmost power as a general rule.</p>

    <p>The lack of complete information also plays a large role in determining the
    qualities that make the best military commanders. What makes someone a military
    genius? While it should go without saying that a commander be intelligent, and
    have a keen understanding of human behavior, one must also be able to overcome
    the physical danger and suffering that goes hand-in-hand with war.</p>

    <p>He describes war as a “great conquest over the unexpected,” and for this reason,
    he cites courage as a primary quality of a great leader. Courage in the face of
    physical danger, but also in the face of moral responsibility – in making tough
    decisions. One must be both firm and resolute, and calm under pressure, but also
    willing to take quick and bold action when faced with the unexpected.</p>

    <p>In other words, a great commander needs a steady presence of mind. All the
    qualities of war – the danger, the suffering, the chance, the unknown – these
    are all things that can lead to a mind being consumed with doubt, which is about
    the worst thing a military commander can have.</p>

    <p>Leaders also need to grapple with what the author considers the primary “friction”
    of war, which is that the aims of war are usually simple while achieving those
    aims is often incredibly difficult. This is one of the last points he makes in
    the first section. And it''s a good note to leave on as we head into the second
    chapter. In many ways, war <em>is</em> simple. Like a wrestling match. But in
    other ways, it’s infinitely complex.</p>'
- action_title: Tactics are the science of war, while strategy is more of an art.
  audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea21-T1657263821.m4a
  id: 62c43ea36cee07000842ea21
  order_no: 2
  signed_audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea21-T1657263821.m4a?Expires=1659190026&Signature=EosX7cxB1juBTfo-nCHoKV-mderxleY1-7GLj-xAxlN1aTEIZyQuMQMGvZ6Xiah374OmS3MjZa3AiyRtoyxG45UBCUwG6FlDfXPB4QPwSln1uy7PMokrJGzVw2Mix5ziWub8UGlBRHXD3RWL~wgtIFm8gvXnAkJmm1OKyJhhES8yjr3vZd-WTfVHmLLOfp269HRLYpNNrf92K1WqM6aLfYQ0BvT0PgJb6vXspxo8MCX70G~4IzpAwohE7BhqArdq8lNyk1OtUQJhxTzDM~lFhtdZvAQbYBBgD3eyFmA-RqIFrWUVGE3nsb3rtyeR~78Dt1~xRXCk5CWX1vzgiTO7Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJXJM6BB7FFZXUB4A
  text: '<p>In Book Two, the author shifts gears a bit and starts to zoom in on the
    nuts and bolts of war. It’s here that the author begins to ponder whether or not
    it''s possible to come up with an overarching theory for war. A theory that says,
    <em>this</em> is how you conduct your army and win a war.</p>

    <p>Let’s just say, the author is skeptical that any such theory can be made, if
    for no other reason than there are simply too many variables. As we’ve already
    discussed, too much of war rests on chance and making decisions based on incomplete
    information. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t <em>aspects</em> of war which
    could be turned into theory.</p>

    <p>Book Two is where we get into the important distinctions between <em>tactics</em>
    and <em>strategy</em>. As Clausewitz defines it, <em>tactics</em> is an area where
    we could apply theory. Tactics involves broad things like training, running drills,
    and making sure your soldiers are prepared and ready. Tactics is about knowing
    where to establish camps and how many reserves you want to keep in waiting. In
    a way, tactics can be scientific.</p>

    <p>Strategy, on the other hand, is more of an art, and therefore ill-suited to
    the establishment of a unifying theory. Keep in mind, war is not a single event.
    It’s made up of multiple decisions and battles. It’s a constantly changing thing,
    and the winning strategy will be the one that responds to unexpected developments
    as they happen. We can make rules about when one should and shouldn’t deploy one’s
    cavalry, but there is bound to be an exception to that rule at some point.</p>

    <p>Often, theories emerge when we take a critical look back at a previous battle.
    For instance, we might look at something Napoleon Bonaparte or Frederick the Great
    did and try to turn it into a rule. The problem is, we often look at their battles
    as isolated things. It’s easy to look back to 1797 and criticize the time when
    Bonaparte advanced against Archduke Charles and crossed the Norican Alps. We now
    know how many forces Bonaparte had, as well as how many forces the Austrian Empire
    had. So we can sit back and point and say, well Bonaparte should have done this
    or was being reckless when he did that. But this kind of criticism isn’t helpful
    or insightful.</p>

    <p>At the time, Bonaparte didn’t know what we know now. And we must also remember
    that every general’s decisions are influenced by what came before. We must refrain
    from analyzing a battle in isolation from the politics and situations that came
    before. The conduct of war can’t be understood or properly criticized when a battle
    is looked at as being self-contained. It is not.</p>

    <p>So, while tactics and strategy are indeed important parts of war, they must
    be looked at within the big picture. How will they be applied to the many different
    activities, purposes, and battles that make up a war?</p>

    <p>In the next chapter, we’ll take a closer look at strategy and the different
    approaches a commander can take to achieve the goals of war.</p>'
- action_title: There are many strategies to consider, but success still requires
    soldiers of great character.
  audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea22-T1657263824.m4a
  id: 62c43ea36cee07000842ea22
  order_no: 3
  signed_audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea22-T1657263824.m4a?Expires=1659190026&Signature=ScykaMKnwnwzOdL3OuZoV8C~jFTkOWEtcoy5Oz4XTKwjZx0GVolA9nx3fjyhDByEWCYl9AaWnAVcXbt59rWrcuNPdp8nNTND3WsMwJgBsg8-Bu-eo1ByqXXll70Z2NwdZPajlJjknnQUPcuF2FkH7U3rulNCIY9NNrrGnaFpjecKsxIX5-ocE9YFjVU9jxjW9AEgWbhuI~5UMgyHHqYBmdyaDp3TPGvZl2yQPRR57sIALtyoJIHhgu6JYWi6PwXUliie-AtcF5OFC8oIMi~DqntkHhNo9fxuaNFb3KC-8SijZRdhLjs9H6gvypamn8GnwibwT3vTfqFawpQPQAlejQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJXJM6BB7FFZXUB4A
  text: '<p>As we move on to Book Three, we find ourselves deep into the subject of
    strategy. Aside from being considered the true art of war, the author also defines
    <em>strategy</em> as “the deployment of battle as a means to attain the end of
    war.” And by the end of war, we mean, to get what you want – otherwise known as
    <em>the object of war</em>.</p>

    <p>So, once again, we can see that there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. A successful
    one must be specifically designed for the main purpose of the war in question.
    A <em>perfect</em> strategy is one that doesn’t come up short or overreach in
    attaining its goal. Some critics will look at Frederick the Great’s 1760 campaign
    and marvel at the individual marches and maneuvers. But the real marvel is that
    the King did <em>just</em> enough – no more, and no less than what was needed
    to bring peace.</p>

    <p>Here’s where we should point out, however, that even the best strategy will
    hardly stand a chance without an army that embodies the principles of <em>military
    virtue</em>. The author defines military virtue as more than just bravery and
    more than just having an enthusiasm for war. As he puts it, when a man leaves
    himself and becomes one with the spirit and nature of the army’s purpose – to
    completely understand the role he needs to play and to execute that role to its
    fullest extent – that’s military virtue. And no matter what strategy Bonaparte,
    Frederick the Great, or Alexander the Great had, they wouldn’t have found success
    without an army that embraced military virtue down to the very last soldier. Along
    these lines, the author also cites <em>perseverance</em>, or the ability to withstand
    the endless pains and exertions of war to outlast your opponent, as another key
    trait in a successful strategy, and surely another example of military virtue.</p>

    <p>Many of the great commanders in history also shared the gift of <em>boldness</em>.
    Now, while you might think of boldness along the lines of bravery – something
    a leader either has or doesn’t have – boldness is also part of the strategic art
    of war. You can’t just go into battle and be bold. For it to work, it requires
    an opening on the part of the opponent. An invitation to boldness is required,
    which is why a commander must have that highly attuned presence of mind to notice
    these chances when they arise and take advantage of them.</p>

    <p>Speaking of the art of war, there’s perhaps no better example than <em>stratagem</em>.
    Stratagem is the deceitful side of war. A way of fighting that isn’t at all straightforward
    and more like a sleight of hand. As with boldness, a successful stratagem often
    requires unwitting participation from the opponent. Knowing something of human
    nature, as well as something about how your opponent thinks, will go a long way
    to setting up and pulling off this sleight of hand. It is, after all, a matter
    of setting the bait, knowing how your opponent will react, and using that to your
    advantage.</p>

    <p>One of the more popular wartime stratagems is surprise. To catch your opponent
    off guard and be where they don’t expect you to be. For this, your opponent’s
    boldness can be used against them. You can give a false invitation, luring them
    to attack and exposing your opponent’s army, only to have them easily outflanked
    by your own waiting forces.</p>

    <p>Such devious means of combat are usually deployed when other strategies have
    failed. But when done to perfection, a clever stratagem can have the effect of
    rekindling the flame and turning the tides of war back in your favor.</p>'
- action_title: Victory is achieved through more than just physical losses.
  audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea23-T1657263827.m4a
  id: 62c43ea36cee07000842ea23
  order_no: 4
  signed_audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea23-T1657263827.m4a?Expires=1659190027&Signature=AsfADVV1BspeNOq38GkDT9PyEHKesRpMIlcqyvRXPh9JiDAdQXIP8XyXeN2a8JhcJT0kSX0aSkzH08TKw6~cSWrWYN7igu4z2ix9QJv-tNX7Wy7fFYAvkNY80cmyteJLqa2U2xy~mlUEVq9YtVn6jdr2fNn7eF9wcUHS2pD9VhxMzHwba6Ll6tqKCCgjSWsTgp8VkwMg75~yQOWw2ems~jSWb6HEBcDsUpVdtSSv5abN9nj4OLEY6Vc1hWY1ZjkfKNj5XWnTkCaMV5IxQNejIWuD3C9cDp9NbR~sicw5uvzphd4-Ee84geWKL9iYj8-7BwQ9xRv73ecw-5FY9Sc8uA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJXJM6BB7FFZXUB4A
  text: '<p>Since <em>On War </em>was unfinished upon the author’s death, it may not
    come as a surprise to know that the final section, Book Four, is quite smaller
    than the other three. Here, the author dives into the “characteristics of the
    modern battle.” So we once again zoom in, and rather than looking at the big picture
    of war, we’re looking at what goes on in a single battle.</p>

    <p>In the previous chapter, we talked about military virtue and perseverance.
    Clearly, the author is well aware of the importance of troop morale. So it stands
    to reason that many of the characteristics the author mentions in Book Four touch
    upon the kind of tactics and strategies that can chip away at your opponent’s
    morale and wear them down into submission.</p>

    <p>Now, of course, when Clausewitz talks about “modern battle” he’s talking about
    early-nineteenth-century battle. This was the time when two forces, camped out
    about a day''s march from each other, would square off on a battlefield. Indeed,
    this was a time when warfare would usually begin at the break of dawn and end
    at nightfall after a long and grinding day of fighting. For the most part, neither
    side would want to waste artillery shooting at things you couldn’t see, or run
    the risk of blindly walking into a battalion of your opponent’s forces.</p>

    <p>The author takes great pains to once again assert that the object of both wars
    and battles is the destruction of your opponent’s army. To wear down your opponent
    to the point where they can no longer continue the fight. There are many ways
    in which an army can be made to suffer. Loss of men, horses, and guns is one thing,
    but an army’s courage, confidence, and sense of order can also be fatally wounded.
    And when we consider what it takes to get an army to the point of surrender, wounding
    their courage and morale is hugely effective.</p>

    <p>Therefore, the author defines victory in battle through three main points:
    a greater loss in physical power, in moral power, and then reaching the point
    where the opponent admits to this greater loss by relinquishing their intentions.</p>

    <p>Flank and rear attacks, as well as surprise attacks, have the benefit of being
    both destructive in a physical sense, as well as in regard to morale. Nighttime
    bombardments can also take a mental toll. By firing off heavy artillery in the
    direction of the opponent’s camp, you’ll be keeping the opponent on edge, and
    perhaps forcing them to be constantly on the move rather than getting any rest.</p>

    <p>Oddly enough, a short chapter on night fighting is how the book comes to an
    abrupt end. There’s no grand summation of ideas to go out on. But Clausewitz does
    raise a question in this final section that continues to be relevant today: Can
    there be such a thing as a bloodless war? In his estimation, no. As the author
    says, “If a bloody slaughter is a horrible sight, then let that be the grounds
    for paying more respect to War.” If we remove the edge from our swords due to
    feelings of humanity, it’s only a matter of time before someone with a sharp sword
    comes along and makes us pay a painful price.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>'
- action_title: Final summary
  audio_url: https://hls.blinkist.io/bibs/62c43ea26cee07000842ea1e/62c43ea36cee07000842ea24-T1657263827.m4a
  id: 62c43ea36cee07000842ea24
  order_no: 5
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  text: '<p><strong>We’ve come to the end of our Blink to </strong><strong><em>On
    War</em></strong><strong>, by Carl von Clausewitz.&nbsp;</strong></p>

    <p>The most important thing to remember from all this is this:</p>

    <p><strong>War is simple, and yet it’s complex. The object is straightforward
    enough: to disarm your opponent with force, thereby forcing them to bend to your
    will. But there’s no straightforward way to reach this goal. There are tactics
    and training you can fall back on, but finding a successful strategy is an art
    form. It takes a commander with presence of mind, and an army made up of strong
    characters who can persevere through the hardships and dangers involved. Dealing
    with chance and the unexpected are routine challenges. And when it comes to victory,
    wearing down the morale of the opposing army can be just as important as doing
    physical damage.</strong></p>'
chaptersLength: 4
freeDaily: null
hasAudio: true
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sourceAuthor: Carl von Clausewitz
subtitle: Observations on the Nature, Theory &amp; Strategy of War &amp; Combat
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title: On War
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