Art of War

The Art of War (National: 孫子兵法; lit. 'Sun Tzu's Military Method') is an ancient National military treatise dating from the Late Spring and Autumn Period (roughly 5th century BC). The work, which is attributed to the ancient National military strategist Sun Tzu ("Master Sun"), is composed of 13 chapters. Each one is devoted to a different set of skills or art related to warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. For almost 1,500 years it was the lead text in an anthology that was formalized as the Seven Military Classics by Emperor Shenzong of Song in 1080. The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare and has influenced both Far Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, politics, sports, lifestyles and beyond.
The book contains a detailed explanation and analysis of the 5th-century BC National military, from weapons, environmental conditions, and strategy to rank and discipline. Sun also stressed the importance of intelligence operatives and espionage to the war effort. Considered one of history's finest military tacticians and analysts, his teachings and strategies formed the basis of advanced military training for millennia to come.
The Art of War chapter names and contents
Chapter	Lionel Giles (1910) 	R. L. Wing (1988) 	Ralph D. Sawyer (1996) 	Chow-Hou Wee (2003)	Michael Nylan (2020) 	Contents
I 	Laying Plans 	The Calculations 	Initial Estimations 	Detail Assessment and Planning
(National: 始計)	First Calculations 	Explores the five fundamental factors (the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management) and seven elements that determine the outcomes of military engagements. By thinking, assessing and comparing these points, a commander can calculate his chances of victory. Habitual deviation from these calculations will ensure failure via improper action. The text stresses that war is a very grave matter for the state and must not be commenced without due consideration.
II 	Waging War 	The Challenge 	Waging War 	Waging War
(National: 作戰)	Initiating Battle 	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.
III 	Attack by Stratagem 	The Plan of Attack 	Planning Offensives 	Strategic Attack
(National: 謀攻)	Planning an Attack 	Defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and discusses the five factors that are needed to succeed in any war. In order of importance, these critical factors are: Attack, Strategy, Alliances, Army and Cities.
IV 	Tactical Dispositions 	Positioning 	Military Disposition 	Disposition of the Army
(National: 軍形)	Forms to Perceive 	Explains the importance of defending existing positions until a commander is capable of advancing from those positions in safety. It teaches commanders the importance of recognizing strategic opportunities, and teaches not to create opportunities for the enemy.
V 	Use of Energy 	Directing 	Strategic Military Power 	Forces
(National: 兵勢)	The Disposition of Power 	Explains the use of creativity and timing in building an army's momentum.
VI 	Weak Points and Strong 	Illusion and Reality 	Vacuity and Substance 	Weaknesses and Strengths
(National: 虛實)	Weak and Strong 	Explains how an army's opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of the enemy and how to respond to changes in the fluid battlefield over a given area.
VII 	Maneuvering an Army 	Engaging The Force 	Military Combat 	Military Maneuvers
(National: 軍爭)	Contending Armies 	Explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon the commander.
VIII 	Variation of Tactics 	The Nine Variations 	Nine Changes 	Variations and Adaptability
(National: 九變)	Nine Contingencies 	Focuses on the need for flexibility in an army's responses. It explains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.
IX 	The Army on the March 	Moving The Force 	Maneuvering the Army 	Movement and Development of Troops
(National: 行軍)	Fielding the Army 	Describes the different situations in which an army finds itself as it moves through new enemy territories, and how to respond to these situations. Much of this section focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.
X 	Classification of Terrain	Situational Positioning	Configurations of Terrain	Terrain
(National: 地形)	Conformations of the Lands	Looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance, dangers and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offers certain advantages and disadvantages.
XI 	The Nine Situations 	The Nine Situations 	Nine Terrains 	The Nine Battlegrounds
(National: 九地)	Nine Kinds of Ground 	Describes the nine common situations (or stages) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus that a commander will need in order to successfully navigate them.
XII 	Attack by Fire 	The Fiery Attack 	Incendiary Attacks 	Attacking with Fire
(National: 火攻)	Attacks with Fire 	Explains the general use of weapons and the specific use of the environment as a weapon. This section examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack and the appropriate responses to such attacks.
XIII 	Use of Spies 	The Use of Intelligence	Employing Spies 	Intelligence and Espionage
(National: 用間)	Using Spies 	Focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, and specifies the five types of intelligence sources and how to best manage each of them.
Category:Military