An Astonishing Book Review

I have recently been made aware of an astonishing review of my version of Sun Tzu’s Art of War by Alexander Tipton who will be graduating from Southeastern Louisiana University this June.

The reason I say ‘astonishing’ is not because it is an accolade for my work, but rather that it is an example of high intelligence while splendid and objective. Mr. Tipton has not only gone through every sentence of my work, but he has also given his ideas in corroboration, some I agree with and some I do not.  It is apparent that this review explains in depth the reality of Sun Tzu as The Art of War intimates for anyone who would be so inclined to use the principles for personal and successful advancement. The review thoroughly enhances my original work.

Incidentally, as Mr. Tipton is a product of SELU, an American school, then America really has nothing to worry about in the future.

http://bookstove.com/book-talk/a-summary-and-review-of-the-book-the-art-of-war-by-sun-tzu-translated-by-stephen-f-kaufman/#

For more info on the author, visit:  http://www.hanshi.com.

The Art of War: Using the Power of Heaven

Excerpt from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War

It is important for the warlord to manage all of his resources by maintaining personal control over them. He may delegate authority in certain respects but is still primarily responsible for his own welfare. It does not matter if there are many affairs to control or if there are few. He manages and controls his own destiny. All is controlled with ease or difficulty depending on his desire, and this will be determined by his understanding of the organization of Heaven.

When all is in harmony, the army can withstand natural attacks and those that appear to be supernatural. This ability is maintained through correct administration and the proper management of men. When functioning in proper order, an army can make an enemy think that attacks are not what they appear to be. This is reinforced even further if the organization has had proper training and practice. All things that exist have a multitude of variations, some subtle and some not so subtle. With only limited tones in a musical scale and red, blue, and green on the palette, combinations of melodies and colors become infinite. The principles are the same when the warlord administers his court or applies methods to defeating an enemy.

The possibilities are endless under Heaven. That is why each move must be carefully measured and considered. In battle, as everywhere else, combinations of natural and supernatural forces are infinite and cannot be comprehended with ease. The methods to be used are as unfathomable as the ideas that govern existence, and when applied with full force and authority they cannot be stopped. When the warlord is skilled in the ways of war, his attacks are thorough and he is relentless until the goal is achieved. Heaven sees the meaning in his desires and will Itself insist that he attain his goals.

For more info on the author and to order books, visit: http://www.hanshi.com

The Art of War – Fierceness in Combat

From Book 12 – Fierceness in Combat

Fierceness is a natural state when troops see the wisdom of their leader. Correct tactics are required to ensure that any approach to the enemy will be consistent with victory. It is the perceptive warlord who prepares for any eventuality and accepts victory with a glad heart. To do battle and be saddened by it is not to be considered meritorious. A warlord and his warriors exist to maintain the state for the ruler.

If the warlord is also the ruler, then it is advantageous for him to understand the need for the destruction of the leader he is overthrowing. He should be sage and think of nothing except victory, followed by proper and intelligent maintenance of the conquest. When this is done, all things under Heaven respond with harmony in accordance with his true desires.

All supplies and materials for the invasion should be on hand at all times. It is a time of laboring when the warlord must seek weapons in order to repel an attack. Likewise, he must have adequate resources available if he is to take the offensive. He must know that timing is essential for victory and must be in accord with Heaven before starting an offensive of defensive attack. Both conditions are the same in the eyes of the warlord.

When the attack is begun, the warlord makes sure that his timing is correct with regard to all conditions. If the attack is easily repelled, then it is not wise to attempt another entrance into the enemy camp without reconsidering the situation. The enemy may now be prepared and will deal destruction in return for entrance into their domain. They will be merciless. Restructure the components of the attack and create more difficulty before entering enemy ground a second time. If you are repelled a second time, it is prudent to get out entirely.

The warlord understands the types of attack to be used. If an attack is begun from the outside of the enemy camp and produces the results sought after, it may not be necessary to enter into the midst of the enemy. Perhaps the enemy will destroy himself by being unprepared. If you enter into the enemy camp, be prepared to fight furiously and make sacrifices where necessary. The enemy is fighting from a place of death.

Let your attack be of such ferocity as to destroy the morale of the enemy. Attack his lines of supply. Use your engineers to destroy his machinery and equipment for survival. Destroy his records and sources of information. Use any method you can devise to accomplish these ends. Be merciless. Any other form of thinking is incorrect and Heaven will not favor you if you show leniency where none is required. Compassion incorrectly placed will not bring victory; it will bring humiliation regardless of the outcome of the battle. Too many people will have discriminate thoughts about your actions, and it will cost you respect in the eyes of your superiors and your men.

Anger prevents even the greatest of leaders from acting intelligently. Rage and passion are not substitutes for cold-blooded planning in the destruction of an enemy. The judicious warlord understands all of this and maintains his position with respect to Heaven. Heaven looks upon him with approval as a leader of good cause. He is favored among all others. The state is maintained in joy and the ruler is able to relax while making further preparations for the future with confidence.

For more info on author and to purchase books, visit http://www.hanshi.com

From the forthcoming “WARFEAR – Inculcating Sincere Terror in the Heart and Mind of the Enemy.”

It is never necessary to concern yourself with the intentions of the enemy. Your intention, based on planning and awareness of your desire to see the enemy destroyed, should be acted on before the enemy knows what is going on or can even deploy a defensive measure.

Awareness of the enemy’s objective abilities, coupled with the subjective arrogance of his juxtaposition is necessary aforehand to enable you to maintain the authority of your own process associated with intelligent deployment of your own resources. You can only determine the proper manner in which to proceed when you have carefully studied your own intentions based on your desired conquest objective, which should not be the accumulation of physical goods. That comes later after you have totally destroyed the enemy’s spirit by correct poisoning of his resources: spiritual, mental, and physical. You must focus on executing authoritative action to minimize the losses to your human resources first and materials second.

It is essential that the intelligent warlord study the battle strategies of definitive campaigns promulgated by warriors of great accomplishment. Using those examples and permitting your inner self to acquire the intended spirit of the great generals who came before you will readily enhance the security of your victory and ensure your success. Regardless, nothing is guaranteed, so you should never be presumptuous to not study battle strategies of any format. Study and meditation is germane to accomplishment. Not to do so suggests that you are essentially seeking your own destruction because of foolish behavior regarding your conceit to carry the day. Irrespective of the fact that you may think yourself to be a military genius and determine that you need not study, you will entertain severe defeat once your beginner’s luck is expended. As well, you should change your battle tactics after they have been deployed a number of times to prevent those you seek to conquer from turning your own tables against you. You must continue to develop new attitudes of approach.

As an example, Shaka, the great Zulu king, began training as a warrior when he was a boy. He was diligent in his studies and was soon recognized by the elders that there was something special about him. He didn’t let that interfere with his personal growth and developed many innovative ideas that empowered the Zulu nation to become a fierce force to be reckoned with. As a result of his demands upon his warriors, the very notion that a tribe could be attacked without warning caused that tribe to become very paranoid and ready to succumb without giving battle to Shaka’s troops. There are countless ‘generals’ to study: Attila, Genghis Khan, Bar Kochba, Scipio, and certainly Alexander, as well as others in the pantheon of greatness. Studying the above mentioned would bode you well if you are considering making inroads into new territories. It will empower you to understand your personal motivations relative to their profound accomplishments.

Suggested reading:

Strategy by B.H. Liddell Hart

On the Origins of War by Donald Kagan

Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry

On War by Carl von Clausewitz

Sun Tzu’s Art of War by Stephen F. Kaufman

Instructions to His Generals by Frederick the Great

The Art of Victory by Alexander Suvorov

© SFKaufman 2011

For more info on the author and his books, visit http://www.hanshi.com