The Art of War

The Art of War' is an ancient Chinese military handbook that dates back to the 5th Century BC. Attributed to the intelligent military strategist Sun Tzu the title of the work is Master Sun's Rules of Warfare when literally translated from Chinese. Born over 2400 years ago warrior thinker and leader Sun Tzu lived during a time of great internecine conflict in China.<P>The novel contains thirteen chapters each of which are dedicated to a single aspect of warfare strategy tactics and insights that lead to success. Mastership of warfare and the maintenance of power are the most crucial values in Sun's philosophy without which there can be no peace or life. According to Sun studying your enemy detecting his weakness allowing him to expose himself and then acting accordingly is the key to success. But it is perhaps even more important to master the skill of winning without fighting.Sun's battle-proven strategies have been put into practice by countless leaders from Mao Tse-tung to Napoleon to the planners of Operation Desert Storm. Filled with practical wisdom and strategy it is an essential guide for anyone who wants an edge over the competition. Emperor Shenzong of Song deemed it the most important of China's Seven Military Classics in 1080 and it is still one of the most influential strategy texts in East Asia.<P>CONTENTS<P>1. Laying Plans<P>2. Waging War<P>3. Attack by Stratagem<P>4. Tactical Dispositions<P>5. Energy<P>6. Weak Points and Strong<P>7. Manoeuvring<P>8. Variation of Tactics<P>9. The Army on the March<P>10. Terrain<P>11. The Nine Situations<P>12. The Attack by Fire<P>13. The Use of Spies