I have completed my bookreport of Art of War by Sun Tzu.
I am not sure why I bought this book other than to itch a curiosity I have had over its contents. Having read it I am not sure that I can effectively provide commentary. I have provided some quotes from the book I found insightful especially when read with a competitor in mind. This book report is by no means a thorough summary...
I. Initial Estimations
Ask yourself:
- Which ruler has the Tao?
- Which general has greater ability?
- Who has gained the advantages of Heaven and Earth?
- Whose laws and orders are more thoroughly implemented?
- Whose forces are stronger?
- Whose officers are better trained?
- Whose rewards and punishments clearer?
Know these, know victory or defeat!
II. Waging War
No country ever profits from a prolonged war. There is no skill in a lengthy engagement.
III. Planning Offensives
Preserving the enemy's state capital is best, destroying it second best.
Preserving the enemy's army is best, destroying it second best.
Winning many battles isn't the pinnacle of excellence. Subjugating your enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.
Attack in this order:
- Plans
- Alliances
- Army
- Fortified city
Five factors when victory can be known:
- One who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious
- One who recognizes how to employ large or small numbers will be victorious
- One whose upper ranks and lower ranks have the same desires will be victorious
- One who is fully prepare and awaits the unprepared will be victorious
- One whose general is capable and not interfered with by the ruler will be victorious
IV. Military Disposition
Strategy for defeating the enemy may be known yet not possible to implement.
If you can't be victorious assume a defensive posture. If you can be victorious assume the offensive.
V. Strategic Military Power
Engage with orthodox methods, be victorious through the unorthodox.
Strategic configuration of power is sharply focused, precise.
Simulated chaos is given birth from control, feigned weakness is given birth by strength.
One who excels at warfare seeks victory through the strategic configuration of power, not reliance on men.
VI. Vacuity and Substance
When someone excels in attacking the enemy doesn't know where to defend.
When someone excels in defense the enemy doesn't know where to attack.
The location of the engagement must not be known. If they don't know, the positions they must defend will be numerous.
VII. Military Combat
What is difficult is turning adversity into advantage.
If you race off to battle in an attempt to gain advantage and leave behind your equipment and supplies you will be defeated.
One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage of the terrain (also repeated later)
VIII. Nine Changes
The title of the chapter has to deal with when situations change that require plans to be modified.
Chapter also identifies five dangerous character traits. All battles are lost through one of these traits:
- One committed to dying can be slain.
- One committed to living may be captured.
- One easily angered and hasty to act may be insulted
- One obsessed with being scrupulous and untainted can be shamed.
- One who loves the people can be troubled.
IX. Maneuvering the Army
An army that avoids the hundred illnesses is said to be certain of victory
Quickly get away from deadly configurations of terrain. Do not approach them. An enemy in close proximity that remains quiet is relying on tactical occupation of ravines.
X. Configurations of Terrain
One who truly knows the Army will never be deluded when he moves, never be impoverished when intimidating an action.
XI. Nine Terrains
One who excels at employing the army leads them by the hand as if they were only one man.
One who does not employ local guides will not secure the advantages of the terrain (repeated).
Attack what they love first.
XII. Incendiary Attacks
Priority order of items to incinerate:
- Incinerate men
- incinerate provisions
- Incinerate supply trains
- incinerate armories
- incinerate formations
If someone is victorious in battle?but does not exploit the achievement, it is disastrous.
When it is advantageous move, when it is not, stop.
Anger can revert to joy?but a vanquished state cannot be revived. The dead cannot be brought back.
XIII. Employing Spies
Types of spies:
- Local spy ? one from the local district
- Internal spy ? a spy in a government or authoritative role
- Double agent ? an enemy's spy that you employ, may bring on internal spies in your behalf
- Expendable spy ? supply with disinformation and have it leaked to the enemy
- Living spy ? return with their reports
No reword is greater than that given to the spy.
There is no areas in which one does not employ spies.
