Themes Analysis'

Elliot Prusa

SS semester project

Mr. Walker

5/2/10

The Art of War Themes Analysis

For my semester project, I choose to read The Art of War. The Art of War is a collection of military strategies and lessons written by Sun Tzu in the 6^Th Century B.C. This book is broken down into thirteen chapters. Each of which has a main moral or theme, after reading this book I have analyzed the first 3 chapters themes.

In the first chapter, Tzu talks about the Calculations and Estimations of warfare. At first I was shocked to see how educated and intelligent military minds of the 6^th Century B.C. were. I never had realized how much strategy played into war until reading this book. In the first chapter Tzu explains the five fundamental factors that define a successful outcome they were: the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management. By thinking, assessing and comparing these points Tzu could calculate whether he would have victory. He believed faltering from them would mean failure. In many cases those same components can change the outcome of an entire war, even today. I was impressed by Tzu’s attention to detail. He explained how you can never let anything slip through the cracks, because if you do it could be the difference between winning and losing.

In the second chapter, Tzu talks about the challenges and waging warfare. In this chapter I was impressed by Tzu’s knowledge of economics and other aspects of war, and what you must do in war in order to win. He explains how to understand the economy of war and how success requires making the winning play, and how it, requires limiting the cost of competition and conflict. Tzu understands and explains something in this chapter, which some people never learn in their entire lives. It is to have a killer instinct, to be wilder and scarier than the opponent in exchange for victory.

In the third chapter, Tzu talks about key offensive strategies of warfare and the importance of a planned attack. I read this chapter about the same time we were studying the Mongols ironically. I say ironically because in this chapter Tzu defines strength as unity, not size, and the five ingredients that you need to succeed in war. I was baphled as I read this because it began to show me, that these military strategies of Tzu actually worked and they still work today. Tzu spoke of how numbers were not as important as unity and teamwork. This is not just a fundamental part of warfare, but in all walks of life. At this point I became hooked on the book and became used to Tzu’s style and ingenious mind of warfare.

Book Critique

Elliot Prusa

SS Semester Project

Mr. Walker

5/2/10

The Art of War Book Critique

For my semester project, I choose to read The Art of War. The Art of War was written by Sun Tzu in the 6th century BC. It contains a total of 13 chapters; each chapter is devoted to one aspect of war. It is believed by many to be the defining book of military tactics and strategies of its day. Here are my thoughts on the book.

As I first picked up the Art of war and began to read it, the book felt very foreign, and I had a hard time relating it to life today. I found it very confusing and I became very frustrated with the book. I even thought about picking a new book to do for my project. After a few weeks I picked the book up again. I slowed down as I read and thought more in depth about Tzu’s concepts on warfare and his military tactics. They began to make sense. As I read the book reminded me of a chess game. How Tzu would stress the importance of making quick decisions, and assessing situations. After awhile, I became hooked on this book.

After I began to slow down the pace at which I read. I began to understand and enjoy the book. I found the book so enjoying because Tzu talked about his personal experiences in warfare. He was not speaking theoretically, like so many authors do today. One of the reasons I found this book so interesting was that many of the tactics and strategies that Tzu explained from over 2000 years ago. Are still in use today, this really made me realize how intelligent and crafty Tzu really was, which is what made this book so successful and enjoyable to many people.

Even though Tzu writes about many interesting and knowledgeable things in The Art of War, I still found this book very confusing. The wording was often weird and I would sometime have troubles following along. The translators of this book could have done a much better job.

The Art of War is very good, anyone who is looking for a good book on military tactics and strategies, this is the book for you. The book itself teaches many great lessons to its reader that are applicable to many more areas then just warfare. Although the book could be phrased a lot better and at times the book can be very confusing. But all in all I found the Art of War to be an excellent book as long as you take your time and read carefully. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in warfare.