36 Stratagems: Secret Art of War [Paperback]

Wang Xuanming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 9971985942 | ISBN-13: 978-9971985943

Wang Xuanming's pioneering work in illustrating the 36 Stratagems in comic form breathes life into these Chinese military strategies perfected through a few thousand years of battlefield tactics, political intrigue, ingenuity and human folly. The six sections of six stratagems each presents the Chinese original w/pinyin at the heading of each cleverly illustrated chapter. The focus of this 300-year old text is on the use of deception, subterfuge or hidden tactics to achieve military objectives. Examples of the use of these stratagems are marvellously explored through characters who exhibit ingenuity, bravery, and even calculated brutality in warfare.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Asiapac (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9971985942
• ISBN-13: 978-9971985943
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,758,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent supplement to the study of the art of war, February 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: 36 Stratagems: Secret Art of War (Paperback)

The principles of conflict apply to all forms of competition: business, war, and games. Readers from all fields will find tremendous insight into the art of deception and surprise which leads to decisive results in a competitive situation. For readers of the Art of War by Sun Tzu, this is a beneficial supplement.

Several books on strategy exist and are full of theory but lack in terms of case examples of the strategies in application. The Thirty-Six Stratems takes 36 individual tactics, gives the high-level description of each, then provides an example of the application in historical China. The first 18 strategems are designed for situations where one has the advantage, the other 18 for when one is at a disadvantage. Interestingly, the strategems span from tactical situations to examples of political manipulation that can be used to one's advantage.

The one problem with this book is its availability. It took me a while to find; mine is an AsiaPac production in comic book form. Nonetheless the content is there and it has added tremendous value to the competitive spheres in my life.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strategems, December 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: 36 Stratagems: Secret Art of War (Paperback)

A must for the self-employed...... Teaches the ancient tactics that you don't ever want used on you in business but..... they are everyday.