A Strategy A History Chapter 1

Jerry Pournelle wrote the Foreword for this science fiction book.

The correct answer is Sun Tzu and Lind. Sun Tzu is a renowned ancient Chinese military strategist known for his book "The Art of War," which is considered a classic in military strategy. Lind, on the other hand, refers to William S. Lind, a contemporary military strategist who has written extensively on military tactics and warfare. Both Sun Tzu and Lind are well-known figures in the field of military strategy.

The author of the Foreword believes that van Creveld's work is a necessary supplement to Carl von Clausewitz's work.

According to Sun Tzu, if you know yourself but are ignorant of the enemy, your chances of winning a battle are 50 percent. This is because knowing oneself is important, but without knowledge of the enemy, it becomes difficult to strategize effectively and anticipate their moves. Understanding the enemy's strengths, weaknesses, and tactics is crucial in order to devise a successful battle plan. Therefore, having only half of the necessary information significantly reduces the likelihood of victory.

War was seen as a necessary evil and a departure from harmony by the Chinese. This suggests that they believed war to be something that had to be done, but also recognized that it disrupted the natural balance and unity of their society. It implies that they did not view war as a desirable or glorious endeavor, but rather as a regrettable and disruptive event.

"The Crysanthemum and the Sword" is the correct answer because this book, written by Ruth Benedict, became very influential in the West during World War II. Despite not speaking the language or visiting Japan, Benedict conducted extensive research and analysis to understand Japanese culture and society. Her book provided valuable insights into Japanese behavior and mindset, which helped shape Western understanding of Japan during the war.

Sun Tzu teaches that moral influence is the first of the five fundamental factors of war. This means that having strong moral values and principles is crucial in warfare. It encompasses factors such as leadership, discipline, and the ability to inspire and motivate troops. Sun Tzu believed that a strong moral influence would lead to unity, loyalty, and determination among soldiers, giving them an advantage in battle.

The Chinese generals first appeared to have put down their martial methods in writing between 400 and 200 BC. This suggests that during this time period, there was a significant development in documenting and recording military strategies and tactics in China. It indicates a shift towards a more organized and systematic approach to warfare, where knowledge and expertise were shared through written texts.

Sun Tzu declares that flexibility and intelligence are required in order to achieve the strongest and most successful military action. Flexibility allows for adaptability and the ability to change tactics and strategies as needed, while intelligence enables effective decision-making and understanding of the enemy's weaknesses. These two qualities together enhance a military force's ability to respond to changing circumstances and outsmart their opponents, leading to greater success in military actions.

The given statement is true. The famous British military historian, Sir John Keegan, was indeed originally responsible for the writing of A HISTORY OF STRATEGY.