BOOK I.ON THE NATURE OF WAR.
CHAPTER I.WHAT IS WAR?
1.

INTRODUCTION.
WE propose to consider first the single elements of our subject, then each branch or part, and, last of all, the whole, in all its relations--therefore to advance from the simple to the complex.

But it is necessary for us to commence with a glance at the nature of the whole, because it is particularly necessary that in the consideration of any of the parts their relation to the whole should be kept constantly in view.
2.

DEFINITION.
We shall not enter into any of the abstruse definitions of War used by publicists.

We shall keep to the element of the thing itself, to a duel.
War is nothing but a duel on an extensive scale.