The 197684 howardparet version is the standard translation today. Its coherence and ambition are unmatched by other military literature. This term center of gravity schwerpunkt appears about 40 times in clausewitzs book, most often with no particular or consistent meaning. Force, to counter opposing force, equips itself with the inventions of art and science. Carl vonhg clausewitz 1989 in on victory and defeat. He coined the famous or infamous depending on how you see it war is the continuation of politics by another means. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. In going back to the original concept, lieutenant colonel echevarria reveals that clausewitz intended the center of gravity to function much as its counterpart in the mechanical sciences does, that is, as a focal point. Through night and blood to light, and no work yet written conveys to. As systems are dynamic, it would make little sense to call it a center of gravity as it would constantly move and change shape as the system evolves and operates in the real world. This refers to the political science concept of coercion which you can best grasp by. War is thus an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will.
This biography offers detailed information about his life, career. At best on war is an incomplete first draft forever waiting revision by the author. Thus, war is an act of violence in order to force our will upon the enemy. This book is a classic and a must for every one interested in military history and history in general. Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in. The center of gravity has become one of todays most popular military concepts despite the fact that its origins extend back to the early industrialage. Cog doctrine must be further revised in order to be of use against the elusive, asymmetric enemies.
It helps to develop a better understanding of strategy, leadership and decisionmaking. When, aged just thirteen, he followed his father into the army, power in europe consisted of a few dozen princes engaged in permanent fight for supremacy, waged with a remarkable lack of energy. The definition of a cog is the source of power that provides moral or. In the time since clausewitz first articulated the center of gravity cog concept, his.
This book presents an discussion on clausewitz s strategic thought, and his main objective to lay a foundation for the education of future leaders in order to transform knowledge into genuine capability. The applicability of the clausewitzian trinity politics essay. Prior to his death clausewitz wrote a note saying his manuscripts were. While joint and service doctrinemanuals generally agree on a. Lieutenant colonel echevarria thus argues, quite persuasively, that the clausewitzian center of. Clausewitz enlisted in the prussian army in 1792, and in 179395 he took part and was commissioned in the campaigns of the first. The term center of gravity, used in a military context derives from clausewitzs usage, which he took from newtonian mechanics.
Through night and blood to light, and no work yet written conveys to the thinker a clearer conception of all that the red streak in their flag stands for than this deep and philosophical analysis of war by clausewitz. If the mind is to emerge unscathed from this relentless struggle with the unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable. This refers to the political science concept of coercion which you can best grasp by imaging. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes. Clausewitz s conception of war is strikingly unique. Clausewitzs center of gravity the quintessential cerebral savage, clausewitz borrowed a number of intellectual constructs, theories, and concepts from the leading philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers of his day in order to understand and describe what he observed as the various aspects of war. Free of technical jargon, and suitable for modern readers. This biography offers detailed information about his life, career, childhood and timeline. Graham translation of clausewitz s vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. Strategy in the 21st century the continuing relevance of. Clausewitz never used the term center of gravity, or in german, gravitationspunkt, he used the word schwerpunkt, which means weight of focus or point of effort which is different from center of gravity, hubs or sources of power. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
On war 1832 german version, and 1873 english translation, trans. Project gutenberg offers 61,882 free ebooks to download. Clausewitz was an original thinker most influenced by the napoleonic wars in which he fought. Clausewitzs work as a historian and theorist of war rested upon these experiences, without being limited by them. He served in the campaigns of 179394 on the rhine, after which he seems to have devoted some time to the study of the scientific branches of his profession. Clausewitz s use of the center of gravity inonwarremains essentially consistent with the concepts representation in the mechanical sciences. Clausewitzs on war 1832 is the most celebrated study of its subject yet produced. He uses the standard meaning of schwerpunkt, which was center of gravity. Most englishlanguage sources that cite his definition of a center of gravity draw primarily from one of two passagespages 48586 in book vi defense, or pages. Clausewitz, on war, excerpts relating to term centers of gravity. A painting of the the battle of moscow, 7th september 1812, from 1822 by louisfrancois lejeune.
The center of gravity has become one of todays most popular military concepts despite the fact that its origins. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout the world, and has stimulated generations of soldiers, statesmen, and intellectuals. On war is the most significant attempt in western history to understand war, both in its internal dynamics and as an instrument of policy. His magnus opus on war is used by military historians, strategists, and politicians to this day. Since the works first appearance in 1832, it has been read throughout. Clausewitz wrote a series of lectures on small war and studied the rebellion in the vendee. Since, as clausewitz stated, the effect produced on a center of gravity is determined and limited by the cohesion of the parts, the energy that holds the system together is equivalent to the gravity of that system. Graham translation of clausewitzs vom kriege 1832 published in london in 1873. On war has become one of the most respected classics on military strategy. His most notable work, vom kriege on war, was unfinished at his death. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read on war.
In his book vom kriege on war the expression is explained. Attached to force are certain selfimposed, imperceptible limita. It has been translated into english several times as on war. War is a continuation of politics by different means. The definition of a cog is the source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act. Clausewitz, center of gravity, and the confusion of a.
It is an extraordinary attempt to construct an allembracing theory of how war works. War is an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will book 1, part 2, p. Much of the middle books of on war deal with the technicalities of the conduct of napoleonic warfare. Clausewitzs conception of war is strikingly unique. Thus, the center of gravity is usually seen as the source of strength.