In this edition originally published in 1983 the late Professor Raymond Aron one of Franceâs most distinguished social scientists presented a major re-evaluation of Carl von Clausewitz âthe genius of warâ. He sees in Clausewitz a political philosopher of major importance whose impact and significance permeate many facets of modern society. Yet Clausewitzâs reputation was entirely posthumous for his great work On War was published after his death and in his lifetime he achieved only a limited reputation as a military thinker and planner. Even today he is more often quoted than closely read. Aron begins by elucidating the complexity of Clausewitzâs thought and by describing his main ideas. He gives an account of the successive phases in the development of On War and traces the different interpretations of Clausewitzâs doctrine in Germany in France and in Soviet Russia. Finally Aron analyses many aspects of the present world using the concepts of Clausewitz and is therefore able to examine such modern phenomena as the theory of the nuclear deterrent and âtotal warâ in Clausewitzian terms. This is a book of piercing insights by a writer of world-wide reputation who used the Clausewitz world-view as a means of political analysis. It is thus still of great importance and interest to contemporary historians and to all who are concerned with military and political affairs. . Language: English