I enjoy reading books which can educate me on tactics, the warrior mindset, and firearms. I read a little bit of fiction here and there, but those will probably not be discussed here. I will not be writing so much a review of the books, but my thoughts and impressions.
First up in this set of posts is a short book most people have heard about. It is called “The Art of War”, written by a ancient Chinese general known as Sun Tzu. The copy I read is a very old edition given to me by my father and it is translated by a man named Samuel Griffith.
This book is basically a collection of proverbs related to combat, leadership, and war. It is filled with amazing quotes that have really proven to be timeless as they relate to conflict. From what I understand Sun Tzu has been highly influential on Chinese military history and even global warfare.
As a police officer I’m always interested in improving my mental preparations for conflict. This book provided me with many moments of thought and reflection.
“Thus a victorious army wins it’s victories before seeking battle; an army destined to defeat fights in the hope of winning.”
One of my favorite overarching themes in the book is the concept of preparation. Sun Tzu believed that by properly preparing for war you can Not only avoid it, but even win the battle before its fought. It would also follow then, by not preparing, you have already lost. “To rely on rustics and not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.” As I’ve heard it said before, we do not rise to the occasion, we fall back on our training. I think Sun Tzu would agree.
“Strike the enemy as swiftly as a falcon strikes its target . It surely breaks the back of its pray for the reason that it awaits the right moment to strike. Thus the momentum of one skilled in war is overwhelming and his attack precisely regulated.”
Another bit of wisdom I pulled from the book is very similar to what I’ve been taught in my SWAT training. In SWAT we say our mission is speed, surprise, and violence of action. These things can help give us an advantage in a naturally disadvantageous situation. In this vein Sun Tzu says, “what is the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed; one cannot afford to neglect opportunity… When the thunder-clap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.” And again, “An attack may lack ingenuity, but it must be delivered with supernatural speed.”
Whether you’re a cop on the street, a servicemember abroad, a guard on the job, or a citizen ready, I find the tenants in this book are invaluable. They’re all quite simply put and yet still provoke self-examination. Am I ready when the fight comes? Did I put in the time to prepare for my moment? Do I know my limitations and did I push myself as far as I possibly could?
I’ll close with one of my favorites, “It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one’s readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack but rather to makes one’s self invincible… When the world is at peace a gentleman keeps his sword by his side.”
Know yourself, prepare, act.
azRambo