This ancient Chinese work on military strategy by Master Sun is dating
back a period in Chinese history where the central feudal state governed
by the Zhou rulers was in decline with the result that regional rulers
waged war among themselves to gain supremacy over each other. Sun,
living at some time during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.)
was a military leader who wrote a remarkable piece of work dealing with
the thirteen strategical principles (strategems) to be applied in
warfare. His text is considered the oldest book on military strategy,
and what he wrote was studied and considered useful and applied many
centuries later inside and outside military. This book is in its essence
a "psychology" and "philosophy" of war dealing with opponents in
military struggle and civil life alike. The principles elaborated on are
appreciated by leaders of military, business corporations and in sports
today.