On War is one of the most important books ever written on the subject of war. Clausewitz, a Prussian officer who fought against the French during the Napoleonic Wars, sought to understand and analyze the phenomenon of war so that future leaders could conduct and win conflicts more effectively. He studied the human and social factors that affect outcomes, as well as the tactical and technological ones. He understood that war was a weapon of government, and that political purpose, chance, and enmity combine to shape its dynamics. On War continues to be read by military strategists, politicians, and others for its timeless insights.

This abridged edition by Beatrice Heuser, using the acclaimed translation by Michael Howard and Peter Paret, selects the central books in which Clausewitz's views on the nature and theory of war are developed. Heuser's introduction explains the originality of Clausewitz's ideas, his education and background, and summarizes his key theories, while explanatory notes provide further information on the historical examples Clausewitz cites.

论战争》是有史以来关于战争问题的最重要的书籍之一。克劳塞维茨是一位在拿破仑战争期间与法国人作战的普鲁士军官，他试图了解和分析战争现象，以便未来的领导人能够更有效地进行和赢得冲突。他研究了影响结果的人类和社会因素，以及战术和技术因素。他明白，战争是政府的一种武器，政治目的、机会和敌意共同形成了战争的动力。战争论》因其永恒的洞察力而继续被军事战略家、政治家和其他人阅读。

这本由比阿特丽斯-海瑟（Beatrice Heuser）撰写的节选版，采用了迈克尔-霍华德（Michael Howard）和彼得-帕雷特（Peter Paret）的著名译本，选择了克劳塞维茨关于战争性质和理论的观点的核心书籍。海瑟的导言解释了克劳塞维茨思想的原创性、他的教育和背景，并总结了他的关键理论，而解释性说明则提供了关于克劳塞维茨所引用的历史实例的进一步信息。