I would respectfully add the following thoughts:

The Chinese historical records of Ssuma-Ch’ien tell us that Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, working for the King of Wu. He lived in China during the fifth century BC, at a time of vast strife and constant bllod-shed. It was during this time that Sun Tzu wrote his masterpiece on military methods, startegy and martial philosophy, known as the Art of War .

The Art of War is a profound study of warfare, and the fundamentals of strategy and tactics. It is a rich and complex text; its core concepts and tenents are as valid today as when they were written over 2,000 years ago. The Art of War was originally written to describe the Tao (Dao) of warfare, so it could be understood and studied by the princes of China. By the third century BC, Sun Tzu’s book was widely in use throughout Asia; its core lessons were rapidly being applied and studied within the various martial and military schools of China.

The text of the Art of War is presented within 13 chapters – each covering a specific aspect of warfare. A general overview of the Chapters is as follows:

Chapter 1 (Appraisals / Initial Assessments) : The opening chapter of The Art of War discusses the basis for the military, and the importance of studying military methods. It also establishes the criteria of assessing victory or defeat.

One of the most famous tenents of Sun Tzu is presented in this chapter:

“All warfare is based on deception.” (Griffith, p. 66)

Chapter 2 (Doing Battle / Waging War): This chapter contains the earliest known discussion on the economic and logistical roles in warfare, which it covers in considerable detail. It stresses the important interrelationship of human, material and financial resources for making war, and stresses the value of a quick victory, as opposed to a protracted campaign.

This chapter contains two of the most famous passages of Sun Tzu:

“… there has never been a protracted war from which a country has benifited” (Griffith, p. 73)

“… what is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.” (Griffith, p. 76)

Chapter 3 (Strategy of Attack / Strategic Offensive): This is one of the most important chapters of Sun Tzu, and intoduces the central notion of winning with the minimum amount of force possible. It also discusses the merits of only going to battle when you have a clear advantage, and closes with the famous dictum about knowing oneself and one’s opponent.

Chapter 4 (Formation / Tactiacl Dispositions): This chapter discusses important strategic practices, comapred and contrasted in paired concepts. It advises to strike at an enenmy from a vantage point, seek out weaknesses, and provide for solid defenses.

Chapter 5 (Energy / Strategic Military Power): This chapter discusses the general’s ability to command an army, by maximizing its potential through the use of conventional and unconventional tactics, as well as the ever changing configuration of power in the field of battle.

This chapter introduces one of the key tactical concepts of Sun Tzu:

“… when in battle… use the orthodox to engage [the enemy]. Use the extraordinary to attain victory.” (Denma Translation, p. 32)

Chapter 6 (Weakness and Strength / Emptiness and Fullness): This chapter contains further examples of the duality of warfare (i.e., the paths to victory and defeat), which was begun in Chapter 4. It covers such themes as the need to manipulate the enemy, and to avoid being manipulated by them, and also the variations of form during battle.

Chapter 7 (Manoevre): This chapter covers practical matters of marshalling an Army in the field. It covers issues, such as forestalling the enemy by securing conditions which favor victory, and by manoevering into superior positions on the ever-changing battlefield.

The major theme of warefare being premised on deception, first mentioned in Chapter 1, is once again discussed… but in a much fuller sense.

“War is premised upon deception, motivated by advantage, and modified by dividing and joining.” (Mair, p. 102)

Chapter 8 (The Nine Variables / Nine Transformations): This chapter discusses variations of topography, and their affect on the course of a battle, as well as the traits of a general in the field. It advises on awareness of both advantages and disadvantages of certain actions.

Chapter 9 (Marching the Army / Maneuvering the Army): This chapter discusses methods of ordering a march and positioning an Army, observing enemy troop movements, and interpreting physical evidence on the battlefield, to assess the enemy’s movements and intentions.

Chapter 10 (Terrain Types / Configurations of Terrain): This chapter further discusses the principles for moving an army across different types of terrain. Emphasis is given on studying the battlefield and its topography, and on utilizing it to your offensive or defensive advantage. It discuses the rights of a battlefield commander to make adjustments during the course of a battle, and stresses the value of awareness of the conditions and progress of the battle.

The concept of knowing oneself and one’s enemy, first discussed in Chapter 3, is once again stressed.

Chapter 11 (Nine Types of Terrain / Nine Variations of Ground): This chapter continues the discussion of using different types of terrian during a battle. It also discusses the important role that speed can have on a military operation, and stresses pursuing coordinated attacks to particular battlefield objectives, rather than indisciminate actions across a broad front.

Chapter 12 (Attack by Fire): This chapter discusses the uses of fire (and also to a certain degree, water) during a military campaign. It also discusses the generals motives for attacking.

Chapter 13 (Employing Spies / Espionage): This last chapter discusses the role that valid military intelligence and espionage can play in a battle, with the central tenent that knowledge is a key to victory.

There are several excellent websites which discuss Sun Tzu in detail. A few that I would recommend would be:

1. The Sonshi Website, at http://www.sonshi.com

2. The Denma Website, at http://academic.bowdoin.edu/suntzu/index.html

All the best,

Rick Bauer

In terms of Chris’ original article, I would respectfully disagree with one aspect of his opening statement; where he says “… Here is a summary of Sun Tzu’s most important points…” I would respectfully say that Chris has noted many of Sun Tzu’s most important concepts, but not all of them… particularly given the sample quotes are only from ten of the thirteen core chapters.

In reference to Thomas’ comment [1], I would also respectfully disagree with one aspect. He notes that Sun Tzu did not contain a “defensive position,” and only encourages going on the offensive. This is incorrect. The work of Sun Tzu contains advice on both the Yin and Yang aspects of strategy and warfare. Defensive strategy is discussed at some length within Chapters 4 and 9… but also in many other areas.

Very Respectfully,

Rick Bauer