1 - "Laying Plans"

The core message of this chapter is to calculate as much as possible before committing
yourself. Important themes include discipline, ethics, environmental conditions and
assessing the competition. It's about setting up the mission and evaluating the competition.
- "!aging !ar"
The important detail of this chapter is to "in as #uic$ly and as economically as possible.
Prolonged struggle means "asting resources and undermining confidence. !hen "inning,
use the spoils as re"ards and capital. It's about ma$ing "ar pay.
% - "&ttac$ by 'tratagem"
This chapter is about deployment of the previous t"o chapters. The central message is to
$no" thyself and $no" thy enemy. This stage indicates problems such as sieges, bad
management and interior anarchy or legal(government interference. &dvantages such as
good management, e)ploiting opportunities and attac$ing tactics are covered. 'trength is
about cohesiveness and is independent of si*e.
+ - "Tactical ,ispositions"
This one stresses putting yourself in a position "here you cannot be defeated and "aiting
for the opportunity to defeat the enemy. It is about recogni*ing the brea$s and ta$ing them
as opposed to creating the brea$s.
- - ".nergy"
This part focuses on the po"er of deception to lull the enemy into a false sense of security
and the use of spies to learn the enemy's moves. It also stresses the need to evolve in
battle. It's about building up "ar capability.
/ - "!ea$ Points and 'trong"
This chapter encapsulates all the previous five chapters into an advanced "ar strategy
producing outcomes, calculating and responding to events as they unfold. The strategies are
developed here. It is about creating brea$s.
0 - "1aneuvering"
This deals "ith managing units and the internal problems they face on top of ho" to
respond during movement to various circumstances. It is a chapter based on types of
situations and responses.
2 - "3ariation of tactics"
This section e)pands on the evolution of tactics and strategies based on situations and
responses but concentrates on "hat causes failure.
4 - "The &rmy on the 1arch"
This is advanced maneuvering especially across long distances "ith different terrains and
ho" to deal "ith encounters. It is about interpretation.
15 - "Terrain"
This describes the various terrains that an army can encounter and "hen and ho" to occupy
them. It tal$s about distances, potential dangers and obstructions. Positioning is important.
11 - "The 6ine 'ituations"
This piece e)plains the condition of each terrain in terms of its tactical advantages and
disadvantages and ho" to deal "ith both. It is a very intensive chapter because of the
number of comple) conditions dealt "ith.
1 - "The &ttac$ by 7ire"
&rson in "ar is probably the single most troubling "eapon that an army could have inflicted
on the enemy around -55 89. This chapter is obviously based on the most advanced
"eapons of the time "hich have since been developed. It is about using the principle of
creating disorder and chaos to "in.
1% - "The :se of 'pies"
!ithout spies don't "ar. !ar is "on based on fore$no"ledge not by calculation but by direct
information about the plans of the other side from spies. 'pies are managed in this chapter.
.ven though the "or$ is #uite short ;about 155 pages or less "ith commentary< it is
comple) enough to "arrant several readings. It is the e#uivalent to learning ho" to play
advanced chess, a game "hich compliments this study. There is a lifetime of thought "ithin
the pages. 6apoleon "as said to have used it and lost "hen he didn't follo" it.
The &rt of !ar has become one of the most important self help boo$s of this century
populari*ed in big business as many e)ecutives have had recourse to this material because
it offers a sound "inning strategy. 1ost readers come a"ay believing that the boo$'s
message finds it adaptable to many environments because it is all about ad=usting to
variations and so can be applied to anything and everything.
The &rt of !ar is not supposed to be an e)citing read. It is a strategy boo$, a step by step
guide to ho" battles are "on and "hy they are lost. It is more to be memori*ed as a set of
responses, including "hen not to respond, than to be understood. The combinations of the
responses are unlimited. There is enough on the plate "ithout as$ing "hy. :nderstanding
"hy "ould come later and the ans"ers to these #uestions "ould come from a very
sophisticated understanding of the theory. It is an endeavor that remains open to the
reader if they can come to terms first "ith the information that is here.
.ven if the boo$ is not follo"ed up on by subse#uent study it can still leave a long lasting
impression "ith its tips on discipline and achieving goals. It is great value for the amount of
information contained in such a short burst. It "ill get you thin$ing strategically and that is
more or less its claim to fame.