Comprehensive Guide to Clausewitz's Strategy: A Speedy Study
Understanding Carl von Clausewitz: A Comprehensive Guide for Military Professionals
For those seeking a detailed and nuanced understanding of Carl von Clausewitz's seminal work, On War, here is a guide to the best resources available.
1. The Primary Text: On War
The foundation of your study should be the original work itself. Focus on its core concepts such as war as a continuation of politics, the role of friction and uncertainty, the interplay of moral and physical forces, and the importance of leadership genius. These themes are crucial for grasping Clausewitz’s ideas on strategy and tactics.
2. Analytical Summaries and Guides
Complex sections and themes can be challenging to navigate. Analytical summaries and guides, like those found on Sobrielf.com, provide key points, famous quotes, and explanations connecting Clausewitz’s ideas to practical military strategy. Recorded discussions or lectures, such as YouTube analyses, help contextualize the text and its modern relevance for commanders.
3. Historical and Theoretical Analyses
Placing Clausewitz’s work within broader military thought and historical experience is essential. Books that reference On War alongside other seminal works or historical case studies, such as "Zero Hour" or "My Enemy, My Ally," can deepen your understanding of his concepts and the debates on their application.
4. Encyclopedic and Academic Treatments
Resources like the Britannica entry clarify Clausewitz’s definition of war as a political instrument and provide foundational knowledge for professional study. They highlight distinctions between traditional and modern warfare concepts.
5. Complementary Readings
Other recommended books for further understanding of Clausewitz include "Clausewitz and the State" by Peter Paret, "Clausewitz's On War: A Biography" by Sir Hew Strachan, "Clausewitz and Contemporary War" by Antulio Echevarria, "Clausewitz: His Life and Work" by Donald Stoker, "Marie Von Clausewitz: The Woman Behind the Making of On War" by Vanya Bellinger, and "The Enlightened Soldier" by Charles Edward White.
6. Supplementary Materials
The Clausewitz Homepage is a free, comprehensive resource on all things Clausewitz and On War. It offers insights, podcasts, and discussions, including "Midrats - Clausewitz Now More Than Ever with Donald Stoker", "The Dead Prussian Podcast - On Carl von Clausewitz with Donald Stoker", and "BBC Radio: In Our Time - Clausewitz on War with Sir Michael Howard".
7. The Strategy Bridge: Theory for Practice
This book by Colin Gray complements On War by formulating a "theory of strategy". It provides valuable insights into applying Clausewitz's ideas in modern warfare.
8. Leader Development
Lt. Col. Joe Byerly, a US Army armor officer, founded the leader development website From the Green Notebook. Lt. Col. Nathan K. Finney, a US Army strategist currently serving as a special assistant to the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command in the commander's action group, is another valuable resource. He earned a PhD in history at Duke University in 2022 and can be found on Twitter @NKFinney.
9. The Importance of Context
Most field grades do not tackle Clausewitz until their intermediate leader education (ILE) and are rushed through the material. The portions given to ILE students are dense, devoid of context, and only cover the highlights. The book is critical for understanding how senior military leaders must transition from practitioners of tactical art to a bridge between policy and those tactics.
10. The Enduring Influence of Clausewitz
Clausewitz is considered an influential military theorist among US Army officers. This guide aims to provide guidance for those who wish to read Clausewitz on their own or supplement their basic familiarity gained in ILE. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.
1. The concepts of leadership, strategy, and defense in the military context can be further explored by studying related books, such as "Clausewitz and Contemporary War" by Antulio Echevarria or "Clausewitz: His Life and Work" by Donald Stoker.
2. To gain a broader understanding of Clausewitz's work and its modern relevance, one can turn to various sources of entertainment, like the podcast "The Dead Prussian Podcast - On Carl von Clausewitz with Donald Stoker".
3. A (military) leader's grasp of strategy and leadership can be honed by delving into books that analyze Clausewitz's work alongside other seminal works or historical case studies, like "Zero Hour" or "My Enemy, My Ally".
