The Art of War is an old Chinese military composition dating from the Late Spring and Autumn Period. The work, which is credited to the antiquated Chinese military tactician Sun Tzu, is made out of 13 parts. Every one is given to a part of fighting and how it applies to military methodology and strategies.

My big take-aways from this were:
1 Pay attention to where you are and what’s going on around you all the time, especially in war. And also be super sneaky about what you’re going to do. 

2 If you have to fight, do it fast because it’s too expensive to do for long. “There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged war.” loc 822.

3 Everybody uses spies and if you don’t, then you’re going to lose because the other guy is for sure using spies.

4 Be flexible and make the call as things happen. Don’t stick to orders from an emperor who’s really far away because he doesn’t know what the heck is going on like you do. “Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.” loc 1296.

5 Know who you are and who you’re fighting. This knowledge makes you strong so other people can’t determine your future. Use it to win your war. “The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.” loc 1542.

6 Have a vision beyond what is right in front of you and guide yourself toward it, one good decision at a time. 

7 The place that you fight is very important as well as the officer who is calling the shots and telling you which way to go. If either of these things suck, you’re in trouble. 

8 Knowing small details about the enemy is very important. For example, if the dudes you’re going to war against put their pots and pans away, they’re planning on dying in battle. Who knew, right?