Clausewitz:

A Biography

review by Dave Watkins

By Roger Parkinson Published by Cooper Square Press $17.95 Paper Back ISBN: 0-8154-1223-9

Published during 2003, I received this book with the misgiving I reserve for biographies, so it lay around for a couple of weeks before I picked it up and got stuck in. What I found was a well written book, that not only informed, educated and entertained me. I was surprised to see exactly where Clausewitz had fought. Starting out as a young Ensign in 1792 and ending the Wars as a Chief Staff officer facing Grouchy at Wavre and beyond. His campaigns with the Prussian Army are covered in an exciting and graphic account of the battles in which he was involved. His “defection” from Prussia to Russia, following the alliance with France for the 1812, is well explained and covered as is his involvement with the Russo-German Legion, Borodino, and Taurrogen.

The campaigns of 1813-15 are well worth reading. The author has an engaging style, which other modern authors would do well to imitate. Don’t just churn out facts, weave them into a narrative, the can be easily read and enjoyed! Perhaps the author is helped by his former profession as a war correspondent.

So if you were wondering why On War is required reading at Military Academies around the world today, then this book will reveal all. Highly recommend and the only down side is that the maps and illustrations could have been better produced. According to the information I received with the review copy Parkinson has also had published “The Peninsular War”, something I will be looking out for.

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