The Enlightened Soldier: Scharnhorst and the Militarische Gesellschaft in Berlin, 1801-1805

As its title suggests, this book chronicles the 1801 creation of the Militarische Gesellschaft (Military Society) in Berlin by Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst, Clausewitz’s teacher and mentor. His country’s most significant military reformer, Scharnhost was fundamental in precipitating Prussia’s intellectual military tradition, and White illustrates how this fundamental shift to perceiving warfare as a creative and intellectual act underpinned Prussia’s future successes. One foundational aspect to this evolution was the importance on acting creatively to fulfil the commander’s intent rather than merely following prescribed actions, which Australian soldiers will recognise as reflective of Army’s emphasis on Mission Command. Moreover, in illuminating the military’s transformation into a profession requiring study and intellectual rigor, White’s book offers valuable insight for the importance of study and deepening one’s understanding of the profession of arms.