Lessons in the Art of War: Martial Strategies for the Successful Fighter

Become a Better Martial Artist by Applying Lessons from the World’s Greatest Military Strategists from Sun Tzu to Von Clausewitz

Lessons in the Art of War investigates the theories and philosophies of the most prominent military thinkers in Asia and Europe and examines the combat roots of a variety of fighting styles from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean martial arts to the fighting arts of the ancient Greeks and modern Israelis. It also demonstrates how the martial arts, whether Asian or Western in origin, were historically about brutal fighting, often to the death, and how ancient attitudes and beliefs can be adapted for success in today’s MMA steel cage, judo or karate tournament as they were in ancient armies.

Including an introduction to Asian and Western military thought, chapters include:

• The Nature and Conduct of Combat
• What is Combat?
• Preparing for Battle
• Elements of Tactics and Strategy
• Imposing Your Will
• Destroying the Enemy Force
• Strength of the Defensive Position
• Failure
• Moral Quality of Courage
• Securing Victory

Martina Sprague is the author of numerous books on the martial arts and military strategy, including The Complete Martial Arts Student, Strength and Power Training for Martial Arts and Norse Warfare. She holds a Masters in Military History from Norwich University and has over twenty years of experience in Asian and Western martial arts.