The Tao of Deception - Unorthodox Warfare in Historic and Modern China (2007)

The history of China is a history of warfare. Wars have caused dynasties to collapse, fractured the thin façade of national unity, and brought decades of alien occupation. But throughout Chinese history, its warfare has been guided by principles different from those that governed Europe. Chinese strategists followed the concept, first articulated by Sun-tzu in__The Art of War__, of__qi (ch'i)__, or unorthodox, warfare. The concept of__qi__involves creating tactical imbalances in order to achieve victory against even vastly superior forces. Ralph D. Sawyer, translator of__The Art of War__and one of America's preeminent experts on Chinese military tactics, here offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient practice of unorthodox warfare. He describes, among many other tactics, how Chinese generals have used false rumors to exploit opposing generals' distrust of their subordinates; dressed thousands of women as soldiers to create the illusion of an elite attack force; and sent word of a false surrender to lure enemy troops away from a vital escape route.__The Tao of Deception__is the book that military tacticians and military historians will turn to as the definitive guide to a new, yet ancient, way of thinking about strategy. China's Ancient Military Principles Are Strikingly Relevant To Today's Tumultuous Global Politics - Including The Iraq War And The War On Terror. With China's Emergence As A Geopolitical Power And Asymmetrical Warfare Developing As The New Template For Military Action The World Over, The Concept Of Unorthodox Warfare Is Quickly Becoming The Dominant Way Of Thinking About Military Strategy. The Too Of Deception Is Replete With Materials Unknown In The West, And Portrays A Startlingly Different Way Of Thought And Strategic View That Demand Careful Scrutiny In The Current Destabilized Geopolitical Situation. It Is The Definitive Guide To A New, Yet Ancient, Way Of Thinking About Strategy That Is Finding Increasingly Wide Acceptance In Many Realms, Including Tactical Implementation, Strategic Planning, And Corporate Activities At Large. --book Jacket. Preface -- Pronunciation Guide -- Dynastic Chronology -- I. Historical Experience And Formulations -- Incipient Beginnings -- Spring And Autumn Precursors -- Sun-tzu's Definitive Formulation -- Warring States Commanders --warring States Explications -- Han Dynasty Realizations -- Three Kingdoms -- Northern And Southern Dynasties Exemplars -- Sui And T'ang Conflicts -- Theory In The Three Kingdoms And Early T'ang -- Sung Dynasty Theoretical Developments -- The Ming And Beyond -- Ii. Modern Theories And Implications -- Traditional Wisdom Revitalized -- Modern Embodiments And Implications. Ralph D. Sawyer With The Collaboration Of Mei-chün Lee Sawyer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The history of China is a history of warfare. Wars have caused dynasties to collapse, fractured the thin façade of national unity, and brought decades of alien occupation. But throughout Chinese history, its warfare has been guided by principles different from those that governed Europe. Chinese strategists followed the concept, first articulated by Sun-tzu in The Art of War , of qi (ch'i) , or unorthodox, warfare. The concept of qi involves creating tactical imbalances in order to achieve victory against even vastly superior forces. Ralph D. Sawyer, translator of The Art of War and one of America's preeminent experts on Chinese military tactics, here offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient practice of unorthodox warfare. He describes, among many other tactics, how Chinese generals have used false rumors to exploit opposing generals' distrust of their subordinates; dressed thousands of women as soldiers to create the illusion of an elite attack force; and sent word of a false surrender to lure enemy troops away from a vital escape route. The Tao of Deception is the book that military tacticians and military historians will turn to as the definitive guide to a new, yet ancient, way of thinking about strategy. The history of China is a history of warfare. Wars have caused dynasties to collapse, fractured the thin fasade of national unity, and brought decades of alien occupation. But throughout Chinese history, its warfare has been guided by principles different from those that governed Europe. Chinese strategists followed the concept, first articulated by Sun-tzu in The Art of War , of qi (ch'i) , or unorthodox, warfare. The concept of qi involves creating tactical imbalances in order to achieve victory against even vastly superior forces. Ralph D. Sawyer, translator of The Art of War and one of America's preeminent experts on Chinese military tactics, here offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient practice of unorthodox warfare. He describes, among many other tactics, how Chinese generals have used false rumors to exploit opposing generals' distrust of their subordinates; dressed thousands of women as soldiers to create the illusion of an elite attack force; and sent word of a false surrender to lure enemy troops away from a vital escape route. The Tao of Deception is the book that military tacticians and military historians will turn to as the definitive guide to a new, yet ancient, way of thinking about strategy. The history of China is a history of warfare. Wars have caused dynasties to collapse, fractured the thin façade of national unity, and brought decades of alien occupation. But throughout Chinese history, its warfare has been guided by principles different from those that governed Europe. Chinese strategists followed the concept, first articulated by Sun-tzu inThe Art of War, ofqi (ch'i), or unorthodox, warfare. The concept ofqii nvolves creating tactical imbalances in order to achieve victory against even vastly superior forces. Ralph D. Sawyer, translator ofThe Art of War and one of America's preeminent experts on Chinese military tactics, here offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient practice of unorthodox warfare. He describes, among many other tactics, how Chinese generals have used false rumors to exploit opposing generals' distrust of their subordinates; dressed thousands of women as soldiers to create the illusion of an elite attack force; and sent word of a false surrender to lure enemy troops away from a vital escape route.The Tao of Deceptionis the book that military tacticians and military historians will turn to as the definitive guide to a new, yet ancient, way of thinking about strategy. Contents 8 Preface ix 10 A Note on Pronunciation xiii 14 Dynastic Chronology xv 16 I Historical Experience and Formulations 18 1 Incipient Beginnings 3 20 2 Spring and Autumn Precursors 17 34 3 Sun-tzu’s Definitive Formulation 55 72 4 Warring States Commanders 69 86 5 Warring States Explications 83 100 6 Han Dynasty Realizations 97 114 7 Three Kingdoms 135 152 8 Northern and Southern Dynasties Exemplars 163 180 9 Sui and T’ang Conflicts 189 206 10 Theory in the Three Kingdoms and Early T’ang 213 230 11 Sung Dynasty Theoretical Developments 253 270 12 The Ming and Beyond 297 314 II Modern Theories and Implications 338 13 Traditional Wisdom Revitalized 323 340 14 Modern Embodiments and Implications 375 392 Notes 403 420 Selected Bibliographies 451 468 Index 477 494 Also by Ralph D. Sawyer 487 504 The definitive book on ancient military principles that is strikingly relevant to the War on Terror, the war in Iraq, and the rise of China as a geopolitical power