National Object and Military Aim Summary and Analysis

The first lesson provided here is that national "object" or policy goal is closely related to but different from military strategy. In truth, policy is the real intention, and military aims are one of the means through which this is achieved. Bear in mind that he has also taught that direct physical battles are far from the main military means.

Next, Liddell Hart brings up the importance of Clausewitz. The reader was introduced to this general in earlier chapters, but here, the importance identified is not the wars Clausewitz fought in but the books that he wrote, which themselves grew to prominence and thereby had a massive influence on military strategy long after he had died.

However, the author informs the readers that the man's shortcomings actually created a sort of "regressive influence...