Plan B Forum

Sean wrote:A Christian walks into the library and asks for a book about war.
The librarian replies: "Doesn't the author get a free copy anymore?"

...and still is Wiki

The Department of the Army in the United States, through its Command and General Staff College, has directed all units to maintain libraries within their respective headquarters for the continuing education of personnel in the art of war. The Art of War is mentioned as an example of works to be maintained at each individual unit, and staff duty officers are obliged to prepare short papers for presentation to other officers on their readings.[19]

The Art of War is listed on the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program (formerly known as the Commandant's Reading List). It is recommended reading for all United States Military Intelligence personnel and is required reading for all CIA officers.[20]


[edit] Application outside the military

The Art of War has been applied to many fields well outside of the military. Much of the text is about how to fight wars without actually having to do battle: it gives tips on how to outsmart one's opponent so that physical battle is not necessary. As such, it has found application as a training guide for many competitive endeavors that do not involve actual combat.

There are business books applying its lessons to "office politics" and corporate strategy.[21][22][23] Many Japanese companies make the book required reading for their key executives.[24] The book is also popular among Western business management, who have turned to it for inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive business situations. It has also been applied to the field of education.[25]

The Art of War has been the subject of various law books[26][27] and legal articles on the trial process, including negotiation tactics[28][29] and trial strategy.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

The Art of War has also been applied in the world of sports. NFL coach Bill Belichick is known to have read the book and used its lessons to gain insights in preparing for games.[36] Australian cricket as well as Brazilian association football coaches Luis Felipe Scolari and Carlos Alberto Parreira are known to have embraced the text. Scolari made the Brazilian World Cup squad of 2002 study the ancient work during their successful campaign.[37]

31

Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. #
32

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. #
33

He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.