Comparative review

Comparative Review

2009

Sun Tsu composed what is the historic treatise , The Art of War , some two millennia ago , and in a world vastly different than what is known to military commanders in the present day . His prescriptions on the purpose and conduct of war , however , continue to have application even as the very framework of modern wars is still so quickly evolving . Tsu describes war as a matter of life and death ' and a road to either safety or ruin ' In such a way , it is easy to view war as

the single most relevant thread that connects together various eras of the history of man

The five constant factors that Sun Tsu uses to describe the art of war are more philosophical than concrete , but he uses metaphorical classifications that connect them to very real and relevant elements that affect battle . Tsu then describes seven considerations , or comparisons between warring factions to determine victory or defeat They include examining the side with the most discipline , determining the stronger of armies , and looking to the higher extent of training amongst warriors

After describing the framework of war , Sun Tsu goes on to give specific advice for preparing for and engaging in battle , covering areas including what supplies to bring versus forage for and how long a fight should last . His treatise also goes on to describe the handling of situations from encamping an army to dealing with difficult terrain Although Sun Tsu 's writing deals primarily with the conduct...