currently we are the university of maryland, college park, maryland, hornbeck library and a katherine anne porter room here and we're talking with university of maryland professors who are also authors. and we are pleased to be joined by history professor jon sumida, who has written this book, "decoding clausewitz" -- "decoding clausewitz: a new approach to 'war'." professor sumida, it was carl von clausewitz? >> he was a prussian officer who fought against napoleon. he first went into action as a teenager in 1790s. later rose to be a midgrade officer, was present at the great battle in 1806. was a subordinate of the chief of staff of the army, and was a participant in the reform of the prussian army after the great defeat. in 1812, he resigned his commission because he disagrees with the king in terms of their decision to be an ally of france, their former enemy, and invade russia. so he goes over to the russian army, serves as an advisor to the czar, and is attached to two senior russian commanders, fisa some of the great battles of 1812 including, was at the retreat of the french a