Roots of Strategy: Book 1

Five of the greatest books on military strategy, including one that inspired Laurence of Arabia. Incredible value. I have given several copies to people who I thnk will make something of their lives.

The text is exactly what it purports to be: a compendium including the brilliant works of Sun Tzu, Vegetius, De Saxe, Frederick and Napoleon. I have read the first two and am working my way through the rest of the book.Sun Tzu, as well known, was a military writer from the Chinese Warring States period. His commentary is both allegorical and practical, talking about various terrain types, deception, and so on.Vegetius was a Roman historian of the late Roman empire, who was commissioned at the request of the emperor to comment on the superiorities and lessons of the early empire soldier. He notes Roman had trumped over the wealthy and cunning African, the huge and brave Iberian, the cultured and brilliant Greeks, and he attributes the success of the Roman legionary firstly and primarily to his strict discipline, and secondly to the flexibility of the Roman army in adapting foreign methods. But the book is much deeper than that, and delves into many logistical and tactical issues that made the Roman army as feared and respected as it was in the ancient world.

It's been a interesting book so far with a reference to the various strategies which were used during those times but it allowed me to think of real life events which this book could be used.

First of all, I consider this book let alone the series as a bit of an overkill for the average student of strategy. I ordered the entire series and I have just finished the first book, I was blown away by it. Most people don't realize that a couple of hundred years ago people have literally killed for some of the information in these books. This book, as well as the series, essentially brings together several works and provides arguably the best translations of this written material, nothing more. Some of these translations are very hard to find and obviously these books are for the most serious students of strategy. Also, this is the only source I know of that provides these multiple works in a series of books.

Great addition to my personal library. Thank you for the quick delivery.