How Long to Read Sun Tze's Stratagems

How Long Does it Take to Read Sun Tze's Stratagems?

It takes the average reader 5 hours and 17 minutes to read Sun Tze's Stratagems by Douglas S. Tung

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

Sun Tze’s The Art of War has long been recognized as China’s most profound military classic. So far, many books on The Art of War focus on translating the classic from its classical Chinese into the present day Chinese language and foreign languages, and to substantiate Sun’s theses with concrete historical examples. In this book, we are neither concerned with the military theories nor its technicalities. We focus on the strategies/stratagems in line with Sun Tze’s philosophy of winning without fighting, of destroying the enemy through tactical manipulation, and enlightened exploitation of strategic power. We believe that a systematic study of the strategic thoughts is more important. Hence, we apply the systematic classification based on basic behaviors method on the strategies/stratagems depicted by Sun Tze. At this point, we would like to define two terms. A strategy is a detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics, business, industry or sport; or the skill planning of such situations. A stratagem is a carefully planned way of achieving or dealing with something often involving a ruse. Thus, a strategy is a careful plan which may or may not incur a ruse while a stratagem must contain deceit and deception. Talking about stratagems, The Secret Art of War: The Thirty-Six Stratagems is a unique collection of ancient Chinese sayings that describe some of the most cunning and subtle stratagems. The thirty-six stratagems did not originate from Sun Tze’s teachings. However, since Sun Tze’s The Art of War has been so popular that all Chinese military generals and common people interested in strategies have studied it carefully. Ten of the “thirty-six stratagems” have their distinctive sources and are not covered by Sun Tze in his book. The other stratagems have themes ranging from loosely to closely relate to Sun Tze’s teachings. Therefore, we have reservations with the statement by a certain author: “Sun Tze wrote a book which summarized his successful experience as the 36 stratagems.” Likewise, it is incorrect to say “Sun Tze’s 36 stratagems” or “Sun Tze’s Art of War (the 36 stratagems).” This book is another effort to take a concise and thought-provoking look at the replaying of Chinese stratagems in recent political occurrences and anecdotes. It has the following features to retell Sun Tze’s stratagems. (1) The Art of War took warfare as its service and to win as its main objective. The whole process encompasses information collection, battlefield analysis, enemy assessment, command and control, tactical decision making, psychology and other important aspects of military activity. This process must be managed well. Sun Tze’s stratagems on the managerial functions (i.e. to plan, to organize, to staff, to direct and to control) of the military are included. (2) After careful investigation, we have selected fifty-two stratagems with themes which can be found in Sun Tze’s teachings. Half of these are not covered by “Thirty-six stratagems”. A systematic approach to classify these stratagems according to the basic behaviors of each stratagem enables the readers to acquire a better perspective, especially in determining the right time to do the right things. (3) The stratagems derived from Sun Tze’s teachings are as follows: A straw will show which way the wind blows. Aim at swift victory and avoid prolonged campaigns. Break the cauldrons and sink the boats. Drop stones on someone (the doomed spy) who has fallen into a well. Entice snakes out of their lairs. Forage on the enemy. General’s military orders not to be intervened by the sovereign. Hide one’s light under a bushel. Instil in soldiers a sense of awe and respect for the general. Kill the chicken to frighten the monkey. Lengthwise and breadthwise, openi

How long is Sun Tze's Stratagems?

Sun Tze's Stratagems by Douglas S. Tung is 308 pages long, and a total of 79,464 words.

This makes it 104% the length of the average book. It also has 97% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Sun Tze's Stratagems Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 7 hours and 14 minutes to read Sun Tze's Stratagems aloud.

What Reading Level is Sun Tze's Stratagems?

Sun Tze's Stratagems is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Sun Tze's Stratagems?

Sun Tze's Stratagems by Douglas S. Tung is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

To buy Sun Tze's Stratagems by Douglas S. Tung on Amazon click the button below.