ON WAR

The expert (and seemingly indefatigable) David Timson's rolling turns of phrase, his almost ornate expressiveness, sometimes further obscure the elevated style and complex 1830s verbosity of von Clausewitz's long-winded study of the art of war. But close attention--which this book, with its technical detail, constant references to military history, and rhetorical flourishes demands--reveals that his match of tone and emphasis to sense and his shaping of sentences are unfailingly accurate and help clarify, rather than obscure, the text's meaning, while he captures its tone and enlivens it as much as possible. Those willing to give this formidable audiobook the necessary attention will find his rendering true, helpful, and eloquent. Timson has done his work well; the rest is up to the listener. W.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2022]