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Vanya Eftimova Bellinger

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Marie von Clausewitz: The Woman Behind the Making of On War

by Vanya Eftimova Bellinger (Author)

4.3 33 ratings

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For generations, among those who revere the work of Carl von Clausewitz, the role of his beloved wife, née Marie von Brühl, in shaping his seminal work on military theory has been a subject of intense speculation. It seems certain that without her On War would never have been published. But as historian and Clausewitz scholar Vanya Eftimova Bellinger establishes in this ground-breaking biography of the "other" Clausewitz, Marie was far more than merely a supportive wife who facilitated her husband's legacy.

Marie's 1810 marriage to von Clausewitz did not make sense by most accounts (least of all to her mother). She was a wealthy, cultured, and politically engaged young woman; he was a minor Prussian officer. But the bond between Marie and Claus was forged by love, a deep sense of trust, and a meeting of the minds over common interests. A newly discovered archive of correspondence reveals the extent of Marie's influence on her husband, beginning with the very early days of the courtship and lasting until his premature death. The two came to a "collaborative opinion" on many topics, from the moral implications of war to the emotional constitution of true leadership. Marie's involvement, too, adds insight about the role of class and gender relations in a time when women were excluded from politics-the perspective of a spouse and caretaker on the home-front, observing the physical and emotional effects of combat.

The issues that Marie von Clausewitz raised about the hardships of war - such as the social isolation and treatment of veterans, and the use of violence to achieve political and economic rights - still resonate today. This biography sheds light on an extraordinary life and mind, offering the first comprehensive and compelling look at the woman behind the composition of On War.

ISBN-10

0190225432
ISBN-13

978-0190225438
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

November 2, 2015
Language

English
Dimensions

9.3 x 1.1 x 6.1 inches
Print length

312 pages
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bellinger paints a vivid portrait of a capable, politically savvy woman who was no everyday helpmate, but a meticulous writer, thinker and editor determined to ensure her late husband attained the proper recognition denied to him during his life. Through Marie's capable direction as an editor, her husband's work remains an influential study of the nature of organized violence and still dominates modern foreign policy and conflict resolution." --Military History Magazine

"Vanya Eftimova Bellinger's book is about Marie, but she wisely focuses on the couple's life together... Bellinger weaves their story into the story of Prussia itself and connects concepts that would later appear in On War with events that the couple experienced and witnessed."-- B.A.Friedman, The Strategy Bridge

Book Description

Based on a trove of newly discovered letters, the first biography of the woman who played a decisive role in the making of the classic work on military strategy.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (November 2, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0190225432
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0190225438
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.41 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.3 x 1.1 x 6.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,431,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #402 in Military History (Books)
- #603 in Historical Germany Biographies
- #4,376 in Women in History

Customer Reviews:
4.3 33 ratings

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About the authors

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Vanya Eftimova Bellinger
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Vanya Eftimova Bellinger is a graduate of Norwich University’s Master in Arts Program in Military History. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the Sofia University. Ms.Bellinger completed a journalism fellowship at the Free University of Berlin and has worked as international correspondent for more than fifteen years.
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Vanya E. Bellinger
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

33 global ratings

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Pres.Com

Incredible story that needs to be told to many audiences!

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2016

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I applaud the author for her dedication, hard work and passion to complete this great tribute to an amazing lady! If it wasn't for Marie, there wouldn't be an "On War" book. The book that was used by our leaders to win wars! She deserves this recognition for her involvement in both the development and the completion of the book. It's the personal stories that you will never forget and the strength they had to get through and push through the darkest moments. Historians will love the details! PBS or the History Ch. should do a movie about this book!

One person found this helpful

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J. Pange

A must read for military officers and historians

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2017

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This is an excellent book by a truly renown Clausewitz expert. Professor Eftimova Bellinger's exceptional writing finally sheds light on someone deserving of credit for the genius of On War, Marie von Clausewitz. This is a beautifully crafted, insightful work of history that provides a unique view of the life of Carl and Marie.

3 people found this helpful

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Balint D. Szoke

Great Biography, and Look at a Thoroughly Modern Couple

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2017

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Quite a good book. I enjoyed the look it gave into the lives of a thoroughly modern couple, who were partners not just in marriage but intellectually as well.
Based on newly discovered letters between the two of them, which were kept by the family for centuries, they reveal the character of both Carl and Marie and paint a fascinating picture of life during the Napoleonic wars. Above all, I like how Bellinger ties in the gradual conception of On War, and how their lives influenced the writing of Clausewitz's masterpiece.
In addition, she does a fantastic job of capturing their personalities, quirks, misunderstandings, and flaws. In the end they don't come across as idealized characters but real people.

2 people found this helpful

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Ben

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2018

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This book does a superb job integrating Carl and Marie's correspondence with the wider historical context. I highly recommend it.

One person found this helpful

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RKerr

Provides the "Rest of the Story"

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2016

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No book to date does a better job painting the whole picture of the context in which On War was written.

2 people found this helpful

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Josh Shelton

Compelling portrait of the woman who helped shape and define modern warfare

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2023

So often women's contributions to history are overshadowed if not erased by the men who stood and stand in the spotlight. Bellinger's biography of Marie von Clausewitz is a long overdue and compelling portrait of the woman who helped shape and define modern warfare. An excellent read for anyone interested in military history.

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2020

I bought this book from amazon.de when I was travelling in Germany. The book is truly a scholarly research and it is beautifully written. For centuries and for many years most of us only know On War and Carl von Clausewitz, however, we definitely ignore the importance of his wife, Marie von Clausewitz, the woman who loved, married, and spent three decades of life with Carl; the women who always admired Carl’s talents, and assisted him to climb career ladder to make him to have the deserved influence which is compatible to his talents and sacrifice for Prussia; the women who edited and published On War after Carl’s premature death. The couple’s intellectual and political struggle ends with too much disappointments during their lifetime, Carl von Clausewitz throughout his life he was distrusted by then Prussian King and never be appointed with key positions, Carl ends up his career only with the rank of Major-general.
However, the disappointing career might be a sadness for the couple, Carl’s theory on war is an unexpected success by any standards. On War makes Carl von Clausewitz an influential figure throughout time and across continents.
A daughter from a European noble family, Marie was well-educated, with a good taste for art, and active in Prussian high society, which was unusual in early 19th century Europe. Throughout their time together, the couple treated each other equally regarding career, intellectual and political affairs. Since Carl knew he could not make significant achievements through military service and failed to apply the position of ambassador to Great Britain, he devoted his time to analyze and define war for the book of On War, however, he has no intention to publish it during his lifetime, what kind of noble attitude!
A sudden death caused by cholera, he left all his unfinished manuscripts to Marie, it was her to make it On War known to us and continue to influence people today. As the author argues that Marie was an important partner through Carl’s intellectual journey, not only just publish it. For many reasons and aspects as the book explores Marie was an extraordinary woman in Prussian history, to some extent, as Bellinger says that: she is The Other Clausewitz.

One person found this helpful

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Dale B. Woodhouse

on war

Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2023

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For those of us that have read or been subjected to von Clausewitz quotes this is a must read. An interesting behind the scenes look at the times and conditions in which this important text was created.

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