On Clausewitz

Clausewitz is often quoted but more often misunderstood. On Clausewitz presents his central ideas about war and politics—such as war as an instrument of policy, the concept of Absolute War, friction and the fog of war—in a clear and systematic fashion. It also presents the man, his life and the military and intellectual environment in which he produced his great work On War. A final section considers Clausewitz's relevance to the rapidly changing nature of war today.

Clausewitz is often quoted but more often misunderstood. On Clausewitz presents his central ideas about war and politics--such as war as an instrument of policy, the concept of Absolute War, friction and the fog of war--in a clear and systematic fashion. It also presents the man, his life and the military and intellectual environment in which he produced his great work On War. A final section considers Clausewitz's relevance to the rapidly changing nature of war today.

Hugh Smith has taught officer cadets in Australia for over three decades and was the Founding Director of the Australian Defence Studies Centre.