Book 1: On the nature of war. What is war? ; End and means in war ; The genius for war ; Of danger in war ; Of bodily exertion in war ; Information in war ; Friction in war ; Concluding remarks -- Book 2: On the theory of war. Branches of the art of war ; On the theory of war ; Art or science of war ; Methodicism ; Criticism ; On examples -- Book 3: Of strategy in general. Strategy ; Elements of strategy ; Moral forces ; The chief moral powers ; Military virtue of an army ; Boldness ; Perseverance ; Superiority of numbers ; The surprise ; Stratagem ; Assembly of forces in space ; Assembly of forces in time ; Strategic reserve ; Economy of forces ; Geometrical element ; On the suspension of the act in war ; On the character of modern war ; Tension and rest -- Book 4: The combat. Introductory ; Character of the modern battle ; The combat in general ; On the signification of the combat ; Duration of the combat ; Decision of the combat ; Mutual understanding as to a battle ; The battle ; Effects of victory ; The use of the battle ; Strategic means of utilizing victory ; Retreat after a lost battle -- Sketches for Book 8: Plan of war. Introduction ; Absolute and real war ; (a) Interdependence of the parts in war ; (b) Of the magnitude of the object of the war, and the efforts to be made ; Ends in war more precisely defined : overthrow of the enemy ; Ends in war more precisely defined (continued) : limited object ; (a) Influence of the political object on the military object ; (b) War as an instrument of policy.