On War by Carl von Clausewitz: Book Overview

book review

How is it possible that defenders are responsible for most wars? Why is it a logical contradiction for military concerns to influence political policy? And why shouldn’t soldiers sleep in tents? Carl von Clausewitz answers all these questions and more in his treatise On War. While it was originally published in 1832, Clausewitz’s philosophical underpinnings of war are arguably still relevant in the modern day. Below is a brief overview of the key themes and takeaways from On War by Carl von Clausewitz.

Carl von Clausewitz’s Strategy of War

Carl von Clausewitz’s Strategy of War

Is Clausewitz still relevant in the 21st century? What is Carl von Clausewitz’s strategy of war? Carl von Clausewitz was a Prussian general who fought in the Napoleonic wars in the early 1800s, and he wrote extensively about military philosophy, strategy, and tactics. In his book On War, Clausewitz explains the principles that underpin his philosophy of war and discusses the rationale behind his military tactics and strategies. In this article, we’ll describe the chronology of a hypothetical war and examine Carl von Clausewitz’s strategy as it would apply to that situation.

Why Common Theories of War Are Ultimately Flawed

Why Common Theories of War Are Ultimately Flawed

Do any theories of war actually reflect the reality of the phenomenon? Is it possible to predict the course of a war in principle? According to Carl von Clausewitz, common theories of war fail to provide an accurate model of real war. He identifies three key shortcomings that tend to undermine their accuracy. He admits that these factors are difficult for a theory to predict and clarifies his discourse on war is not intended to provide a comprehensive model. Here are three reasons why military theories are ultimately flawed, according to Clausewitz.

Carl von Clausewitz on the Nature of War

Carl von Clausewitz on the Nature of War

What is the relationship between war and politics? If war is supposed to achieve a political outcome, why do military interests sometimes contradict political aims? According to Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, war should be subservient to political policy. He argues that letting military interests shape political policy or giving the military latitude to take action outside of political policy is ridiculous because war is a tool of politics, not the other way around. Keep reading for Carl von Clausewitz’s take on the nature of war.

What Is the Purpose of War? Carl von Clausewitz’s View

What Is the Purpose of War? Carl von Clausewitz’s View

What is the purpose of war? Can political objectives be achieved without resorting to war? According to Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, the purpose of war is to achieve a political outcome, but war is often misused. Politicians often start wars that achieve the opposite of what they wanted to achieve.  Keep reading to learn about the main purpose of war, according to Clausewitz.

What Is the New Thought Movement?

What Is the New Thought Movement?

What is the New Thought movement? What are the main beliefs? Is the movement still alive today? If you’ve read a self-help book, most likely you’ve been exposed to ideas from the New Thought movement. The 19th-century spiritual movement has even found its way into the secular literature of the 21st century—with tenets such as positive thinking and the law of attraction. Read more for an introduction to the New Thought movement and its ideas.

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav: Book Overview

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav: Book Overview

What’s The Seat of the Soul about? What does it say about the nature of the universe and the material world? What does it teach about the soul’s purpose and evolution? The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav is a best-selling exploration of the soul’s evolutionary journey through the material realm. Published in 1989, following Zukav’s acclaimed The Dancing Wu Li Masters (which explored the connection between quantum physics and spirituality), this book earned a spot as an Oprah Winfrey favorite and gained a wide following throughout the 1990s. Keep reading for our overview of The Seat of the

Gary Zukav: Authentic Power Is What Your Soul Needs

Gary Zukav: Authentic Power Is What Your Soul Needs

What’s the difference between external and internal power? What kind of power is authentic? How can you get it? According to Gary Zukav, authentic power is internal power. In The Seat of the Soul, he explains that our spiritual souls are constrained by our material bodies. So, we tend to pursue external rather than internal power. Only the authentic, internal power can help our souls live out their purpose. Let’s take a closer look at Zukav’s view of authentic power.

What Does “Soul” Mean? An Eastern Perspective

What Does “Soul” Mean? An Eastern Perspective

What does “soul” mean? Is it distinct from the body? Are there individual souls and group souls? Inspired by Eastern mystical traditions, Gary Zukav argues that a soul is part of the divine consciousness. He distinguishes the soul from the body and provides his explanation for how the soul and body interact and why. He also discusses what he believes are the differences between human souls and the souls of other material things. Keep reading for this view of what “soul” means.