The Art of War
Chapter 1: Laying Plans/Calculations
Chapter 2: Waging War
Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem
Chapter 4: Tactical Disposition
Chapter 5: Use of Energy
Chapter 6: Weak & Strong Points
Chapter 7: Manoeuvring an Army
Chapter 8: The Nine Variations/Variation of Tactics
Chapter 9: The Army on the March
Chapter 10: Configurations of Terrain
Chapter 11: The Nine Battlegrounds
Chapter 12: Attack by Fire
Chapter 13: Use of Spies
5 fundamental factors
- Morale Influence
- Dynamic Variables (e.g. Seasons, Weather, etc.)
- Static Variables (e.g. Terrain)
- Leadership and Chain-of-Command
- Doctrine and Methods
Notes
Talks more about the CALCULATIONS and ESTIMATIONS before committing to war.
All about Meticulous PLANNING.
Sun Tzu also reminds us to adapt and be able to modify plans when not working.
The reputation of the commander must be supported in action, to exhibit the virtues of command as having "wisdom, sincerity, humanity, courage, and strictness".
The doctrine has to do with organization, control, assignment of appropriate ranks of officers, regulation of supply routes, and the provision of principle items used by the army.
Things that dont change.
Things that change.
Support of the people and army in war.
Quotes
"All warfare is based on deception"
"Those who master them win; those who do not are defeated"
A commander should frequently change tactics by accurately assessing changing conditions.
"War became essential to the survival of the state"
"War is a very grave matter for the state and must not be commenced without due consideration"
This involves the Environment. Note that some elements of the environment may also change.
Enforcing Dicipline.
Notes
Quotes
All about the LOGISTICS and ECONOMICS of War.
Explains how to understand the economy of warfare and how success requires winning decisive engagements quickly. This section advises that successful military campaigns require limiting the cost of competition and conflict.
Training.
Sun Tzu discusses the equipment, provisioning, and support of an army sent into battle.
"Those adept in waging war do not require a second levy of conscripts nor more than one provisioning"
Resource Preservation and Optimal Resource Allocation.
"Now when the army marches abroad, the treasury will be emptied at home"
The goal is to organize a campaign so that a minimum of effort and resources are consumed, while taking measures to see to it the resources of the enemy can be used instead of wasted.
A well-designed campaign requires no more than two shipments of supplies—the first should supply everything the troops will need at the onset and the second to make it back home again.
Notes
Quotes
"To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill"
Puts more emphasis on using Stratagems to attack the enemy. Instead of direct attack
Order of Attack
Strategy or Plan
Alliances
Army
Walled City
"Attack" enemy economically, politically, culturally, financially, socially, etc.
Disruption and Sabotage.
Attack the enemy without fighting.
Supporting Text: The 36 Stratagems
5 circumstances in which victory may be predicted.
- Knowing as much about himself and his own troops as about those of the opposition, so that he will know when to advance and when to retreat.
- Knowing the correct use of both small and large forces.
- Knowing how to forge ranks unified in purpose.
- Knowing how to exercise patience when the opposition does not.
- Knowing that his sovereign does not interfere with his decisions.
Comparison and relative strengths & weaknesses of 2 opposing armies.
Wisdom
Sincerity
Humanity
Courage
Strictness
Types of Spies
Notes
Quotes
Compliments the early chapters for preparation for war.
Local spies
Inward spies
Converted spies
Doomed spies
Surviving spies
employing the services of the inhabitants of a district
making use of officials of the enemy
getting hold of the enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes
doing certain things openly for purposes of deception, and allowing our spies to know of them and report them to the enemy
are those who bring back news from the enemy's camp
propagandists
bribed enemy officials
double agents
scouts
reconnaissance