Classic Works on the Art of War

Three of the most famous works on military organization and strategy ever written! When exploring the subject of war, there can be no true discussion without the fundamentals expressed in these three classics. Born in different centuries, of different cultures, and with different perspectives, authors Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, and von Clausewitz brilliantly discuss how to approach conflict, determine your strength, and use it to emerge victoriously?on and off the battlefield. In The Art of War, widely regarded as "The Oldest Military Treatise in the World," Sun Tzu covers principles of tactics, maneuvering, communication, and supplies; the use of terrain, fire, and the seasons of the year; the utilization of spies; and the treatment of soldiers, including captives. Best known as the political theorist who wrote The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli considered The Art of War his most important work. This revolutionary 1520 treatise clearly discusses strategy, the handling of recruitment and weapons, motivating troops, demoralizing enemies, and achieving tactical advantages. Written two centuries ago by a Prussian military thinker, Principles of War is the most frequently cited book on modern warfare. In this work, von Clausewitz examines moral and psychological aspects of warfare, stressing the necessity of courage and self-sacrifice, as well as the importance of public opinion. Available together for the first time, these classic treatises on war will prove indispensable to historians and students of military science.