How many here have read the epic book "On War" by Carl von Clausewitz?

I just picked a version of it up. And I find it a very difficult read. Just wondering if anyone has any other hindsights of it, that they don't mind telling me.

Thanks

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Facta non verba. "Deeds, not words"

If you find the english translation difficult to read, try it in german...
That is an intellectual challenge!

Yes, it is a difficult read.
It takes a concentrated mind, you can hardly skip a word or a sentence without getting lost.

For an easier access to "On War" I would recommend:
"Clausewitz and Modern Strategy" by Michael I. Handel,
published by Frank Cass & Co Ltd, Torowa, NJ 07511, USA.

That is Clausewitz in a modern context, and perhaps easier for modern people to understand.

Regards
RAM

I read it 17-18 years ago. It was a difficult read.

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Best Regards,
JW

IIRC Monty threw the book away because it 'was made for germans'. The translation was hard to make out, so he preferred books by english users.

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'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942

"Vom Krieg" must have been the book that gave Adolf a big enough of a headache to make him write Mein Kampf Or maybe we are too shallow readers to fully understand the work of a writer fed on Kant, Goethe, Herder and other great German XIXth Cent. thinkers.

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Nice comparison of meine kampf and on war...difficult reads both and I reas them 10 or so years ago. has anyone here read Napoleans 'Maxims of war' ? I am curious about that book...

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In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility:but when the blast of war blows in our ears,then imitate the action of the tiger;stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;then lend the eye a terrible aspect. William Shakespeare

Here's a list I recommended:

Mr G's recommended reading list on Strategy and Tactics

Vom Krieg is a fascinating book, but not the bible that it is made out to be by some. We still use many of the terms that VC put in his book, but the definitions have changed over time.

As for the 'difficulity' in his writing I have not decided if it is him trying to be lyrical or smart.

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'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942