Principles of War.

VON CLAUSEWITZ, Carl Philipp Gottfried. Translated by Hans. W. Gatzke [Mikhail Gorbachev].

Item Number: 137816

London: John Lane The Bodley Head, 1943.

First English edition of Clausewitz’s Principles, a condensed version of the theories he ultimately expanded upon in his epic military classic On War. Octavo, original half cloth over stiff paper boards. Translated and edited with an Introduction by Hans. W. Gatzke. Signed by the last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev on the front free endpaper. Mikhail Gorbachev served as the last leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to the country’s dissolution in 1991. He served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 and additionally as head of state beginning in 1988, as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990 and the only President of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991. Although committed to preserving the Soviet state and its socialist ideals, Gorbachev believed significant reform to be necessary, particularly after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. He withdrew troops from the Soviet–Afghan War and embarked on summits with United States president Ronald Reagan to limit nuclear weapons and end the Cold War. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Very rare and desirable signed by one of the most significant figures of the 20th century.

Carl von Clausewitz has long been recongnized as one of the greatest and most original writers on the subject of war. For well over a century, German military strategy has been largely based on Clausewitz's Principles, which he first laid down in this little book. Written as a personal 'memorandum' for William IV of Prussia, Clausewitz condensed into it all of the theories and observations which he ultimately expanded upon in his huge military classic, On War.