On War — cover

On War

Carl von Clausewitz
War is the continuation of politics — the definitive treatise on military strategy.

Why this book matters

The book that taught generals, presidents, and revolutionaries how to think about war — and still hasn't been surpassed.

Read the full Impact essay →
On War
Carl von Clausewitz · Book One: What is War?
Free Audiobook · Book One: What is War? 0:00 / —

CHAPTER I. What is War? 1. INTRODUCTION. We propose to consider first the single elements of our subject, then each branch or part, and, last of all, the whole, in all its relations—therefore to advance from the simple to the complex. But it is necessary for…

💬 Books4Free AI Study Assistant
YOU Why does On War matter?
AI The book that taught generals, presidents, and revolutionaries how to think about war — and still hasn't been surpassed.

Read or Listen to On War on Books4Free

Every chapter free to read. Free audio narration on the opening chapter. Plus an AI study assistant that knows the book.

Open in Books4Free → Download PDF, Kindle and other formats from Project Gutenberg ↗

Table of contents

  1. Table of Contents & IntroductionContents
  2. Book One: What is War?Free
  3. Ends and Means in WarFree
  4. The Genius for WarFree
  5. Of Danger in WarFree
  6. Of Bodily Exertion in WarFree
  7. Information in WarFree
  8. Friction in WarFree
  9. Concluding RemarksFree
  10. Book Two: Branches of the Art of WarFree
  11. On the Theory of WarFree
  12. Art or Science of WarFree
  13. MethodicismFree
  14. CriticismFree
  15. On ExamplesFree
  16. Book Three: StrategyFree
  17. Elements of StrategyFree
  18. Moral ForcesFree
  19. The Chief Moral PowersFree
  20. Military Virtue of an ArmyFree
  21. BoldnessFree
  22. PerseveranceFree
  23. Superiority of NumbersFree
  24. The SurpriseFree
  25. chapter in the Art of War, to invest a strong place unexpectedly, butFree
  26. StratagemFree
  27. Assembly of Forces in SpaceFree
  28. Assembly of Forces in TimeFree
  29. Strategic ReserveFree
  30. Economy of ForcesFree
  31. Geometrical ElementFree
  32. On the Suspension of the Act in WarFree
  33. On the Character of Modern WarFree
  34. Tension and RestFree
  35. Book Four: IntroductoryFree
  36. Character of a Modern BattleFree
  37. The Combat in GeneralFree
  38. The Combat in General (_continuation_)Free
  39. On the Signification of the CombatFree
  40. Duration of CombatFree
  41. Decision of the CombatFree
  42. Mutual Understanding as to a BattleFree
  43. The Battle(*)Free
  44. Effects of VictoryFree
  45. The Use of the BattleFree
  46. Strategic Means of Utilising VictoryFree
  47. Retreat After a Lost BattleFree
  48. Night FightingFree
  49. Book Five: General SchemeFree
  50. Theatre of War, Army, CampaignFree
  51. Relation of PowerFree
  52. Relation of the Three ArmsFree
  53. Order of Battle of an ArmyFree
  54. General Disposition of an ArmyFree
  55. Advanced Guard and Out-PostsFree
  56. Mode of Action of Advanced CorpsFree
  57. CampsFree
  58. MarchesFree
  59. Marches (_Continued_)Free
  60. Marches (_continued_)Free
  61. CantonmentsFree
  62. SubsistenceFree
  63. Base of OperationsFree
  64. Lines of CommunicationFree
  65. On Country and GroundFree
  66. Command of GroundFree
  67. Book Six: Offence and DefenceFree
  68. The Relations of the Offensive and Defensive to Each OtherFree
  69. Book Six: Chapter IIIFree
  70. Convergence of Attack and Divergence of DefenceFree
  71. Character of the Strategic DefensiveFree
  72. Extent of the Means of DefenceFree
  73. Mutual Action and Reaction of Attack and DefenceFree
  74. Methods of ResistanceFree
  75. Defensive BattleFree
  76. FortressesFree
  77. Fortresses (_Continued_)Free
  78. Defensive PositionFree
  79. Strong Positions and Entrenched CampsFree
  80. Flank PositionsFree
  81. Defence of MountainsFree
  82. Defence of Mountains (_Continued_)Free
  83. Defence of Mountains (_continued_)Free
  84. Defence of Streams and RiversFree
  85. Defence of Streams and Rivers (_continued_)Free
  86. A. Defence of SwampsFree
  87. Defence of ForestsFree
  88. The CordonFree
  89. Key to the CountryFree
  90. Operating Against a FlankFree
  91. Retreat into the Interior of the CountryFree
  92. Arming the NationFree
  93. Defence of a Theatre of WarFree
  94. Defence of a Theatre of War—(_continued_)Free
  95. Defence of a Theatre of War (_continued_) SuccessiveFree
  96. Book Six: Chapter XXXFree
  97. Book Seven: The Attack in Relation to the DefenceFree
  98. Nature of the Strategical AttackFree
  99. Of the Objects of Strategical AttackFree
  100. Decreasing Force of the AttackFree
  101. Culminating Point of the AttackFree
  102. Destruction of the Enemy’s ArmiesFree
  103. The Offensive BattleFree
  104. Passage of RiversFree
  105. Attack on Defensive PositionsFree
  106. Attack on an Entrenched CampFree
  107. Attack on a MountainFree
  108. Attack on Cordon LinesFree
  109. ManœuvringFree
  110. Attack on Morasses, Inundations, WoodsFree
  111. Attack on a Theatre of War with the View to a DecisionFree
  112. Attack on a Theatre of War without the View to a GreatFree
  113. Attack on FortressesFree
  114. Attack on ConvoysFree
  115. Attack on the Enemy’s Army in its CantonmentsFree
  116. DiversionFree
  117. InvasionFree
  118. On the Culminating Point of Victory(*)Free
  119. Book Eight: IntroductionFree
  120. Absolute and Real WarFree
  121. A. Interdependence of the Parts in WarFree
  122. Ends in War More Precisely DefinedFree
  123. Ends in War More Precisely Defined (_continued_) LimitedFree
  124. Book Eight: Chapter VIFree
  125. Limited Object—Offensive WarFree
  126. Limited Object—DefenceFree
  127. Book Eight: Chapter IXFree

Every chapter is free to read. Premium unlocks the full audiobook.

Popular passages

X Facebook