Civilization might have been spared much of the damage suffered in the world wars this century if the influence of Clausewitz's On War had been blended with and balanced by a knowledge of Sun-tzu's The Art of Warfare. --B.H. Liddel HartFor two thousand years; Sun-tzu's The Art of Warfare was the indispensable volume of warcraft. Although his work is the first known analysis of war and warfare; Sun-tzu struck upon a thoroughly modern concept: "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." Karl von Clausewitz; the canny military theorist who famously declared that war is a continuation of politics by other means; also claims paternity of the notion "total war." His is the magnum opus of the era of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic vars.Now these two great military minds are made to share the same tent; metaphorically speaking; in The Book of War. What a bivouac it is; and what a conversation into the night.Military writer Ralph Peters has written a new Introduction for this Modern Library edition.
#1873989 in Books 2006-01-03 2006-01-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.01 x .96 x 5.20l; 1.02 #File Name: 0375708847448 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Striking; thought-provoking; accessible book recommended for allBy Richard W Crandall; Jr.Highly readable and engaging; Mark S. Weiner's book explores how the rights of blacks in America were developed in pivotal courtroom trials. A principle theory of the book is that blacks; who were brought to this country with almost no rights; relied on court cases in pivotal trials to shape and eventually expand those rights. Not only is this plausible; but it is hard to top this perspective with any other narrative explaining black Americans' position in society; both in the past and present. I was riveted; being taken from the pre-colonial era right to Clarence Thomas' Congressional Hearing. I also learned about long periods of American history that feel abandoned because of their lack of a grand event; like a war. For example; Mark Weiner details the actions and subsequent trials of KKK and KKK-like oppression in the Reconstruction Era south; which I knew next to nothing about; nor knew where to find out about them. This book should serve as a launchpad for other legal or historical scholars in its accessibility; thoroughness; and thought. Highly recommended to American citizens and citizens of the world curious about America.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great exposure on black trials that I knew nothing about ...By Seek The TruthGreat exposure on black trials that I knew nothing about but discovered they were the foundation for building a case for the more noted and written about black trials. The book does a good job of sharing what else was going on in the country that lead up to the black trials. Great book15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. The Intricate Web of Storytelling is ImmaculateBy Pari-SimaWhat a fascinating book which at its heart attempts to answer the question "what does it mean to belong?" Not only is that a question of actual acceptance by one group; but one of perceived acceptance by another. The book is extremely well structured. The author; in examining; what it means; specifically; to be American; takes us seemlessly through the history of the Afro-American in the US through poignant discriptives of key black trials. Each story is told with meticulous; at times excruciating; detail down to the color of Indian cloth for which young African boys were traded. Every sight; smell; and stutter of speech noted to present the reader with an immaculate image of the moment. I am sure that Prof. Weiner's conclusion that the Afro-American now "belongs" (i.e. is not an outcaste in American society) is debatable by both liberals and conservatives; but the history and the final arguments are well stated and worth the time to read.
