The Art of War by Mao Tse-Tung - Special Edition (Paperback)

~ Mao Tse-tung (Author) "The laws of war are a problem which anyone directing a war must study and solve..." (more)
Key Phrases: blockhouse warfare, developing guerrilla warfare, establishing base areas, Red Army, Communist Party, Soviet Union (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This Special Edition of "The Art of War" by Mao Tse-tung contains his four most important discourses on warfare. The parallels between Chairman Mao's thoughts on strategy and those of Sun Tzu belie a direct lineage of culture and genius projected across twenty five centuries.

First, "Problems of Strategy in China's Revolutionary War", considers the rational and classical strategms underlying the conduct of a successful war.

Second, "Problems of Strategy in Guerrilla War Against Japan", discusses the conduct of guerrilla actions relative to, and within, conventional warfare.

Third, "On Protracted War", deals with a wide range of topics including mobile warfare, guerrilla warfare, positional warfare, war of attrition and war of annilhilation.

Fourth, "Problems of War and Strategy" summarizes the lessons of the previous discourses and reiterates the famous dictum: "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

Other Special Editions in this series that deal with the subject of warfare and strategy include:
The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition
The Art of War By Baron De Jomini - Special Edition
The Art of War & The Prince By Machiavelli - Special Edition

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: El Paso Norte Press; Special edition (April 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097607267X
• ISBN-13: 978-0976072676
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,585 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master at Work, June 18, 2005

By	Sam Butler - See all my reviews

Whether you want to start a revolution or prevent one, everyone who has an interest in political power has a valid reason to read these important essays by the 20th century's most successful revolutionary. Mao Tse-tung understood and used the keys to power as effectively as they have ever been used. This book is a prime example of Mao at work - exhorting, cajoling and instructing - at a time when he was closely in touch with the hearts and minds of his people.

Those who tend to dismiss Mao Tse-tung as a demagogue miss the point that he had a agenda that was separate and apart from his ideology: to rule and reform China. He first sold his revolution to the people on the basis of their discontent and rationalized his political views to obtain his objectives. He was a master of contorted logic, rationalization, salesmanship - effective propaganda. This book shows him, in his own words, at his most subtle and persuasive.

That is not to say that Chairman Mao did not deeply care for the welfare of China and her people. To begin the movement of the massive feudal kingdom that was China in the early 20th century toward the world power that China is rapidly becoming will be remembered by history as the step that lifted countless millions from abject poverty. Who is to say that Mao's ends did not justify his means?

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent strategy book surrounded by propaganda, January 2, 2008

By	C. Goldblatt "cadillaccory" (tempe, Az USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was an enjoyable book that is very easy to read. Mao is not a bad writer although he has a tendency to repeat himself... a lot. The book itself talks about the Communist revolution in China and the strategies involved in defeating the Nationalists. He also talks about unifying China to overcome the Japanese Invasion. A lot of the strategy that Mao talks about is very practical and can be used in day to day life. While Mao Tse Tung is not someone to look up to, he is a brilliant strategist. At the same time, the book is filled with some Marxist ideals that contradict what Mao did once he attained power. Since this is written by Mao, one could only expect that. It is fascinating to learn about how one fought a revolution where he was severely outnumbered, and yet he still managed to win. While in history there have been plenty of revolutions similar to this (Cuban revolution comes to mind), the vast size of China differentiates this from many others including the Red Revolution in Russia. The Red revolution has many similarities, but the revolution itself was different. If you are a history buff, then this is a must have for your collection. I gave it 4 stars due to the fact that Mao killed 70 million of his own Chinese so for that, he loses a star.