st, but the completely
different nature of the tendencies of the two must everywhere appear,
and must separate from each other things which are incompatible.

Besides establishing this real difference in Wars, another practically
necessary point of view must at the same time be established, which is,
that WAR IS ONLY A CONTINUATION OF STATE POLICY BY OTHER MEANS. This
point of view being adhered to everywhere, will introduce much more
unity into the consideration of the subject, and things will be more
easily disentangled from each other. Although the chief application of
this point of view does not commence until we get to the eighth book,
still it must be completely developed in the first book, and also lend
assistance throughout the revision of the first six books. Through such
a revision the first six books will get rid of a good deal of dross,
many rents and chasms will be closed up, and much that is of a general
nature will be transformed into distinct conceptions and forms.

The seventh book--on attack--for the different chapters of which
sketches are already made, is to be considered as a reflection of the
sixth, and must be completed at once, according to the above-mentioned
more distinct points of view, so that it will require no fresh revision,
but rather may serve as a model in the revision of the first six books.

For the eighth book--on the Plan of a War, that is, of the organisation
of a whole War in general--several chapters are designed, but they are
not at all to be regarded as real materials, they are merely a track,
roughly cleared, as it were, through the mass, in order by that means to
ascertain the points of most importance. They have answered this object,
and I propose, on finishing the seventh book, to proceed at once to the
working out of the eighth, where the two points of view above mentioned
will be chiefly affirmed, by which everything will be simplified, and
at the same time have a spirit breathed into it. I hope in this book to
iron out many creases in the heads of strategists and statesmen, and at
least to show the object of action, and the real point to be considered
in War.

Now, when I have brought my ideas clearly out by finishing this eighth
book, and have properly established the leading features of War, it will
be easier for me to carry the spirit of these ideas in to the first
six books, and to make these same features show themselves everywhere.
Therefore I shall defer till t