# The Art of War — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/dedication.md): The translator dedicates this work to his brother, Captain Valentine Giles, expressing the hope that a text over two millennia old may still offer valuable lessons for the modern soldier.
- [Preface by Lionel Giles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/preface-by-lionel-giles.md): Lionel Giles introduces his translation of Sun Tzǔ's The Art of War, criticizing previous translations by Père Amiot and Capt. E. F. Calthrop for inaccuracies and omissions. He explains his methodology, including paragra
- [Sun Wu and His Book](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/sun-wu-and-his-book.md): This chapter provides a biography of Sun Wu (Sun Tzǔ) as recorded by Ssǔ-ma Chʽien, detailing his test with King Ho Lu's concubines, his appointment as general, and his military successes. It also discusses scholarly deb
- [The Text of Sun Tzǔ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-text-of-sun-tz.md): This chapter traces the textual history of Sun Tzǔ's Art of War, from its early circulation in the Han dynasty through the discovery of Chi Tʽien-pao's lost edition by Sun Hsing-yen in the 18th century. It details the ch
- [The Commentators](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-commentators.md): This chapter provides a detailed historical overview of the many commentators who have annotated Sun Tzǔ's 'The Art of War', from Tsʽao Kung in the 2nd century AD through the Sung dynasty. It discusses the contributions,
- [Appreciations of Sun Tzǔ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/appreciations-of-sun-tz.md): This chapter collects tributes to Sun Tzǔ from both military and literary figures in Chinese history, highlighting the profound influence of his work. It notes famous generals like Han Hsin, Fêng I, Lü Mêng, and Yo Fei w
- [Apologies for War](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/apologies-for-war.md): This chapter presents a defense of the study and practice of military science, arguing that war is a legitimate function of government and that great sages like Confucius were not ignorant of military matters. It include
- [Bibliography](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/bibliography.md): This chapter lists and annotates the oldest Chinese treatises on war after Sun Tzǔ, drawing from the Ssǔ kʽu chʽüan shu chien ming mu lu. It discusses the authenticity, style, and historical context of works such as the 
- [The Art of War](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-art-of-war.md): This foundational chapter introduces Sun Tzǔ's treatise on military strategy, emphasizing the critical importance of planning, deception, and understanding the five constant factors (Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, the Command
- [Laying Plans](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/i-laying-plans.md): Sun Tzǔ establishes the art of war as vital to the state, governed by five constant factors (Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, Commander, Method and discipline) and seven considerations for comparing adversaries. He emphasizes t
- [II: Waging War](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/ii-waging-war.md): Sun Tzǔ outlines the immense costs of war—financial, material, and human—and argues that protracted campaigns drain the state, dull the army's edge, and invite opportunists. He advocates for swift victory, foraging on th
- [III: Attack by Stratagem](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/iii-attack-by-stratagem.md): Sun Tzǔ emphasizes that the supreme excellence in war is to subdue the enemy without fighting, advocating for stratagem over direct confrontation. He outlines the hierarchy of generalship, the dangers of besieging cities
- [IV: Tactical Dispositions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/iv-tactical-dispositions.md): Sun Tzǔ explains that true mastery in warfare lies in first securing oneself against defeat, then waiting for the enemy to provide an opportunity for victory. He distinguishes between defensive and offensive tactics, emp
- [Energy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/v-energy.md): Sun Tzǔ explains the principles of controlling large forces through division, signals, and the interplay of direct and indirect tactics. He emphasizes the inexhaustible combinations of these methods, the importance of si
- [VI: Weak Points and Strong](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/vi-weak-points-and-strong.md): This chapter focuses on the strategic art of imposing one's will on the enemy, concealing one's own dispositions, and exploiting the enemy's weaknesses. Sun Tzǔ emphasizes the importance of forcing the enemy to reveal hi
- [VII: Manoeuvring](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/vii-manoeuvring.md): Sun Tzǔ discusses the complexities of tactical manoeuvring, emphasizing the difficulty of turning the devious into the direct and misfortune into gain. He warns against forced marches for advantage, which can lead to los
- [VIII: Variation of Tactics](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/viii-variation-of-tactics.md): Sun Tzǔ discusses the importance of adapting tactics to varying circumstances, including terrain, alliances, and desperate situations. He emphasizes that a general must understand when to disobey sovereign commands, blen
- [IX: The Army on the March](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/ix-the-army-on-the-march.md): Sun Tzǔ discusses the principles of encamping an army and observing signs of the enemy. He covers tactics for different terrains: mountains, rivers, salt-marshes, and flat country. He emphasizes the importance of choosin
- [X: Terrain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/x-terrain.md): Sun Tzǔ classifies six types of terrain—accessible, entangling, temporizing, narrow passes, precipitous heights, and distant positions—and explains how to handle each. He then lists six calamities arising from a general'
- [XI: The Nine Situations](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xi-the-nine-situations.md): Sun Tzǔ classifies nine varieties of ground and prescribes specific tactical responses for each, emphasizing the psychological impact of desperate circumstances on soldiers, the importance of secrecy, rapid movement, and
- [XII: The Attack by Fire](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xii-the-attack-by-fire.md): Sun Tzǔ outlines five methods of attacking with fire, emphasizing the importance of timing, weather, and wind direction. He details five possible developments when using fire and contrasts fire with water as tactical aid
- [XIII: The Use of Spies](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/xiii-the-use-of-spies.md): Sun Tzǔ emphasizes the critical importance of foreknowledge in warfare, arguing that the cost of maintaining spies is negligible compared to the waste of prolonged conflict. He outlines five types of spies—local, inward,
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide extensive commentary, textual clarifications, historical anecdotes, and cross-references to earlier chapters of Sun Tzǔ's work. They include discussions on military discipline, the importance of terr

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