Title: The Rules of Victory: How to Transform Chaos and
Conflict—Strategies from the Art of War
Authors: Gimian, James; Boyce, Barry
Subjects: Success; Conflict Management; Leadership; Sunzi, 6th
Cent. B.C. Sunzi bing fa; Military Art and Science
Call Number: 158 G491R 2008
ISBN: 9781590300855
Number of Pages: 293
Book Description
(from the inside of the book cover):
According
to Gimian and Boyce, who collaborated on a best-selling translation of Sun
Tzu’s classic, one of the essential teachings of The Art of War is that
conflict is inevitable when we seek to effect change. However, we can learn to
perceive the underlying dynamics of these situations and we can learn how to
work with them to transform potential conflict into victory. What’s more, when
we master the skills of The Art of war, we attain our goals without engendering
further conflict and destruction.
The Rules
of Victory features:
-In-depth explanations of the essential principles,
strategies, and skills of the Art of War.
-First-person success stories illustrating how these
teachings can be applied to a wide variety of professional and personal
challenges.
-guidance on how to recognize, and even create, a critical
turning point in any campaign or project you undertake.
-A complete translations of the Art of War
My Read:
I am a
believer of the power of mindset. The text of the following from Sun Tzu really
empowers what I have faith in: the victorious military is first victorious and
after that doest battle; the defeated military first does battle and after that
seeks victory. The Sun Tzu describes how the battle is first won in the mind
(p87). Such theory is also in tune with the whole book’s idea of a task’s
framework: view, practice, and action. All originates and initiates from the
mind.
Let’s don’t
forget the most known concept and text of the Sun Tzu: Know the other and know
oneself, then victory is not in danger. Know earth and know heaven, then
victory can be complete (p88). There is this one theme the authors emphasize
and contain from the beginning to the end of the book: The world is an
interconnected whole; taking whole is the key and a must at any situation. It
implies that when facing or dealing a situation not only should a person see
from inside out one also has to be able to include the enemy to complete the
victory. A true triumph also prevents possible conflict or chaos even after the
victory. Observing the front and pondering the after (觀前思後) is wisdom learned by experiences.
There is
this term “shih” repetitively found throughout the whole book; it might be the
most important strategy and tactics the authors discovered crucial and key
element in any battle and victory. Shih is power in motion: the rush of water,
to the point of tossing rocks about, this is shih; the strike of a hawk at the
killing snap, this is the node.
When I was reading chapters about shih, the scenes and he
visit to the Niagara Falls in Buffalo city years ago surfaced and I came to
understand what shih would “look like.”
Shih implies strength, force, and power. There are these
certain condition and situation that bring out the power within or inside. A
person might not be able to make people do things the way she expects. Still,
the combination of the people involved, the timing, the place, and the
situation would allow and provide opportunities to claim victory.
The
following text found at the end of the book truly encourages and inspires me:
Victory is not based solely on the quality of your people or their strength of
will. Thus there is no need to remake or alter them. If you know their nature,
you can position them so that they become natural weapons Thus you take
advantage of the way power arises in the world (p219).
Another
benefit I found helpful to me from this book is the idea of “mixing your mind
with the Sun Tzu (p227-p230). The idea the authors propose to the readers is to
read aloud the texts. Find a quiet place, read aloud the text and allow some time
to stop and reflect what one just reads. When reading aloud, a person is also
listening to the read text. “Simply listen” is the idea behind. Since the Sun
Tzu is written in classic Chinese, it’s hard to read and fully comprehend the
meanings and messages of the words. It’s a good exercise for the readers.
This is a
good book on the Sun Tzu. It’s hard to claim that I “read and finish” this
book. If time allows I might read this book again to gain more insightful tips
and wisdom the authors tried to deliver.
Reference:
The Art of War: The Denma Translation—Sun Tzu
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