The Tao of Becoming a Strategist
continuedBoth books do a great job of describing how to apply Sun Tzu's strategic principles in business.
However, if your interest is in modern warfare, I recommend another Mark McNeilly's book,
Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare. (Mark McNeilly's website is www.Suntzu1.com.)
Note: Both of Mark McNeilly's books also contain a copy of Samuel F. Griffith's translation of Sun Tzu of the War, a great bargain for novice and experienced strategists.
What I enjoy most about Mark McNeilly's books is that he shows the reader how Sun Tzu's strategic principles can be successfully applied to modern business and warfare situations. Not many books do that. Whereas Samuel Griffith's interpretation focuses on delineating all of the components regarding to Sun Tzu's strategic framework.
Q: Can you recommend any other books beside Sun Tzu?
A: Let's try this book, The Thirty-Six Strategies of Ancient China.
This book contains 36 different types of deceptive schemes that can be used to achieve personal strategic objectives. These 36 schemes can be categorized into these six categories: Stratagems When in Superior Position, Stratagems for Confrontation, Stratagems for Attack, Stratagems for Confused Situations, Stratagems for Gaining Ground, and Stratagems for Desperate Situations. The Thirty-Six Strategies of Ancient China website.
Another interesting book that focuses on the 36 stratagems and Asian business culture is The Asian Mind Game: Unlocking the Hidden Agenda of the Asian Business Culture: A Westerner's Survival Manual
Once you have read and understood the strategic principles of Sun Tzu and the 36 stratagems, continue your reading with The Tao of Spycraft: Intelligence Theory and Practice in Traditional China by Ralph D. Sawyer, Mei-Chun Sawyer.
The Tao of Spycraft: Intelligence Theory and Practice in Traditional China
This book is an interesting extension of Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Chapter 13 "Use of Spies." A highly recommended book for those who are in the information-gathering business.
This book is an interesting extension of Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Chapter 13 "Use of Spies." A highly recommended book for those who are in the information-gathering business.
The Tao of Spycraft will give the novice strategist a better insight on the importance of information gathering. As a note to the reader, there are many good desktop strategists who are technically inadequate in the way of gathering intelligence. Through proper intelligence gathering, one will know the intent and the logistics of the opposition. Only then can one ever gain an edge in their strategy against their opposition.
Q: Have you written an article on the 36 stratagems?
A: I am currently working on one.
