While many scholars agree that Clausewitz's On War is frequently misunderstood, almost none have explored his methodology to see whether it might enhance our understanding of his concepts. This book lays out Clausewitz's methodology in a brisk and straightforward style. It then uses that as a basis for understanding his contributions to the ever growing body of knowledge of war. The specific contributions this study addresses are Clausewitz's theories concerning the nature of war, the relationship between war and politics, and several of the major principles of strategy he examined.These theories and principles lie at the heart of the current debates over the nature of contemporary conflict. .

Part I.On War's Purpose and Method -- A Search for Objective Knowledge -- Validating Concepts and Principles -- Part II. The Nature and Universe of War -- War Is More than a Chameleon -- Policy, Politics, and Political Determinism -- Genius, Giving the Rule to Art -- Part III. Strategy, Balancing Purpose, and Means -- Combat, War's only Means -- Principles of Strategy -- Center of Gravity.