Thirty-Six Stratagems

Author: Anonymous
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: One of the outstanding wisdom of the Chinese nation, a classic work of ancient military command strategies. The four reasons to collect this book:
· Distinctive Features: The most cognitively distinctive in historical research notes of all dynasties.
· Precious Materials: Poetry, history, art, and philosophy, with unique insights that often leave later generations in awe.
· Broad Scope: Literary allusions, anecdotes, astronomy, geography, and extensive annotations, renowned for their depth.
· Treasure for Academic Pursuits: Combining academic rigor with accessibility, equally valuable for collection and practical use.
"The Thirty-Six Stratagems" is a military treatise derived from China's ancient military thought and rich battle experience, one of the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. The phrase "Thirty-Six Stratagems" predates the book's publication and its origin can be traced back to the Southern Dynasties period general Tan Daojì (c. 436 AD), as recorded in the History of the Southern Qi (Nanqi Shu): "General Tan had thirty-six strategies, and flight was the best one. Father and son should only flee." It implies that when defeat is inevitable, the only viable strategy is retreat. This phrase was later widely adopted, and people collected and compiled it into "The Thirty-Six Stratagems." However, the exact time and author of the book remain uncertain.
"The Thirty-Six Stratagems" is renowned as a classic work of military tactics and strategy, a summary of the practical experience of countless wars in China's history. It has been extensively studied and applied by military strategists both in ancient and modern times, achieving brilliant victories in ever-changing conflicts and leaving behind a series of outstanding success stories for posterity.
Although "The Thirty-Six Stratagems" is a military work, the profound philosophy it contains is widely applied in modern military, political, and economic fields. It is one of the works deeply studied by political leaders, military strategists, and business magnates across generations.