On War

By: Carl von Clausewitz

Narrated by: David Timson, Lucy Scott

Length: 31 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

"War is a mere continuation of policy by other means."

A classic work of military strategy, On War sets forth the theories and tactics of Carl von Clausewitz, a distinguished Prussian general who was notable for his roles in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The book covers a broad range of topics, including weapons, terrain, troops, and leadership, as well as the importance of defense over offence, the balance of power, and the subordination of war to politics. Praised for its timeless insights, Clausewitz’s treatise is often compared to the work of Machiavelli and Sun Tzu, and remains relevant to military leaders today.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio

Public Domain (P)2021 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.

Good book.

Good book. Terrible narrator. Good book. Terrible narrator. Good book. Terrible narrator. Good book. Terrible narrator. Needs a better narrator

A must for students of strategy

It has the best introduction to any book, ever in my opinion. The first two books and the last one are a great read to everyone studying strategy. But the core of the book is only relevant for those studying specifics of war or history. I had to skip those because I couldn't find any value for me.

This is not the Howard/Paret edition.

The Howard/Paret edition in book and Kindle version links to this audiobook. It is not the Howard/Paret version.

The basis of Western conventional war

Essential for practitioners and strategists alike in the National security and political fields. Clausewitz is of course iconic, and a foundational book for understanding tactical, operational, and strategic concepts. A metaphor I would use for this book is that it is like the Ranger Handbook for strategy; dense with information, it draws out the full blueprint for a strategic view of military operations and campaigns. Even though some might object that principles in this book are outdated, with the focus on Napoleonic era conventional warfare - in sharp contrast to the hybrid conventional and non-state asymmetric warfare seen today - the principles Clausewitz lays out are nonetheless critical to establish a framework strategic framework in warfare. For example, while one can filter out details relating to certain large unit formations, cavalry, or short distance black powder artillery, the philosophical concepts still apply. The importance of components to warfare such as the advantage of elevation, components of attack, defense, ambush and others - as well as logistical concerns - and many more, these are all pieces of the incredibly nuanced picture Clausewitz lays out for strategic campaigning, from ground level to bird's eye view in terms of scope. A fundamental text.

On war, brilliant and flush with information.

30 hours later, I am still an amateur to the strategies of war, but come out with new insite.

voice hard to decipher

Very hard to understand the pronunciation of this performer with a deep gravely baritone, a widely varying cadence, and wide volume range.

Tedius and Bloated

This has to be the most painful book I have ever listened to, all you really need to know about it is that the author firmly believes that war is a means to political ends, he states what he feels should be the only approved and recognized type of warfare which is the Euro-Prussian model, and that a lot of the book is just him endlessly rambling.

I'm sorry I wasted a credit on this book.

Narrator is so bad

I am a serious listener and this guy is just the worst food this type of content. He’s better suited for taking a story about food. Way too loopy and unserious for this subject. Definitely get another version.

Overrated Classic

While I'm grateful to Von Clausewitz for the foundation on strategic principles and doctrine that he laid, I lament how people in the military sphere treat his book like Scripture. It's an indictment against our modern military that we haven't held up better works as the standard for military education.