Clausewitz's Background and Influences

Karl von Clausewitz was born in 1780 in Prussia and joined the army at a young age, witnessing significant conflicts during the Napoleonic Wars. After being captured by Napoleon and spending time in a French prison, he returned to reform the Prussian army and fought at the Battle of Waterloo. His magnum opus, 'On War,' published posthumously by his wife, has profoundly influenced military thought and strategy worldwide, appealing to notable figures such as Dwight Eisenhower and Vladimir Lenin. Despite not being finished during his lifetime, this work presents a complex analysis of war that balances passion, creativity, and political reasoning.