Tao of Soldiering


Book Description

Soldiering is all about the growth and development of human potential in the military organization. The approach to soldiering in China is apparently distinct as compared to Indian or Western military and the shaping of soldiery in China has taken a very unique and somewhat enigmatic course. In the context of PLA, in the ongoing reform era, a clear shift in the approach to HRM is apparent. One of the most important objectives of the ongoing reforms and restructuring of PLA is to appreciably augment its potential and efficiency for the effective prosecution of Integrated Joint operations (IJO) for winning Local Wars under Informationised Condition (LWUIC). This book attempt has been made to take a holistic look at soldiering and development of human potential in PLA thus progressing understanding in the broadly interpreted field of HRM in the context of the Chinese military. The author argues that PLA has been adopting a very systematic, methodical and focussed approach towards identifying the key issues and addressing them in a time-bound manner to enhance the quality of its personnel to include the enlisted personnel, NCOs, officers, and higher leadership. However, success or failure of HR policies depends as much on several tangible factors(educational qualification, technological prowess, economic and social background), as on various intangible aspects (influence of culture, belief system, traditional practices, political and ideological factors impinging on the morale, motivation and value system). The book would enable interested readers to comprehend and grasp the nuances of the development of human potential in the military in general and PLA in specific. Various HRD themes like organizational culture, leadership, efficient decision making, etc. analyzed in the book can find application in general context as well.




The Tao of Deception


Book Description

The history of China is a history of warfare. Wars have caused dynasties to collapse, fractured the thin fasade of national unity, and brought decades of alien occupation. But throughout Chinese history, its warfare has been guided by principles different from those that governed Europe. Chinese strategists followed the concept, first articulated by Sun-tzu in The Art of War, of qi (ch'i), or unorthodox, warfare. The concept of qi involves creating tactical imbalances in order to achieve victory against even vastly superior forces. Ralph D. Sawyer, translator of The Art of War and one of America's preeminent experts on Chinese military tactics, here offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient practice of unorthodox warfare. He describes, among many other tactics, how Chinese generals have used false rumors to exploit opposing generals' distrust of their subordinates; dressed thousands of women as soldiers to create the illusion of an elite attack force; and sent word of a false surrender to lure enemy troops away from a vital escape route. The Tao of Deception is the book that military tacticians and military historians will turn to as the definitive guide to a new, yet ancient, way of thinking about strategy.




The Tao of Survival


Book Description

“Offers clear, concise, effective, time-tested, even hallowed, means of going into any survival situation with your ‘A’ game.”—Jim Morris, Special Forces major (retired) and award-winning author of War Story Written by a student and teacher of Asian thought, martial arts, healing, and meditation, The Tao of Survival focuses on real-world, core survival skills that can save your life anytime and anyplace, in any emergency situation. It delves into fundamental concepts that most survival books don’t cover, including how to deal with fear, developing mind/body skills, and fully engaging your senses to be aware of your surroundings. “It is not every day that one comes across a gem. And that is exactly what this book is. For anyone who is into survival—that is, into life and living—then this book is truly a precious commodity to be read by everyone.”—Mykel Hawke, author of Hawke’s Green Beret Survival Manual and Special Forces combat commander “What a great book, not only well written and informative, but actually useful. There are many fine books written on the topic of survival . . . but this is the first I've seen which comprehensively focuses on teaching the essential fundamentals of true survival.”—Dr. Carl Totton, Psy.D., director of The Taoist Institute and martial arts grandmaster “[Ayres has] always had a seeker’s perspective and has applied it well in his search to know what one needs to learn to be a survivor . . . The Tao of Survival is a masterful synthesis of what it takes to survive . . . while living in a modern world.”—David Wescott, director of Backtracks and managing editor of the Bulletin of Primitive Technology




Mao


Book Description

The most authoritative life of the Chinese leader every written, Mao: The Unknown Story is based on a decade of research, and on interviews with many of Mao’s close circle in China who have never talked before — and with virtually everyone outside China who had significant dealings with him. It is full of startling revelations, exploding the myth of the Long March, and showing a completely unknown Mao: he was not driven by idealism or ideology; his intimate and intricate relationship with Stalin went back to the 1920s, ultimately bringing him to power; he welcomed Japanese occupation of much of China; and he schemed, poisoned, and blackmailed to get his way. After Mao conquered China in 1949, his secret goal was to dominate the world. In chasing this dream he caused the deaths of 38 million people in the greatest famine in history. In all, well over 70 million Chinese perished under Mao’s rule — in peacetime.




Strategy


Book Description

Over twenty two centuries ago, the Greek general Pyrrhus questioned the real gains of military victory. Today we might reflect on the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in much the same way. War is not only cruel but capricious; its outcomes are often bitter and frustrating, even for the winning side. Strategy: Key Thinkers expertly introduces the ideas of major strategic thinkers whose work explores the complex challenges associated with the use of military force. Early chapters deal with the foundational work of Sun Tzu (Sunzi), Thucydides, Vegetius, Machiavelli and Carl von Clausewitz and their relevance to problems facing Western militaries today. The book then considers broader issues, such as the distinctive importance of air and maritime operations, the difficulty of waging offensive land warfare in the face of modern firepower, the implications of nuclear weapons, and the potential of irregular warfare. It concludes by highlighting key themes which connect - and distinguish - the works under consideration, noting how these similarities and differences can inform the strategic debates of the early twenty-first century.




The Revival of China


Book Description

The book is about the revival of China in the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century. It has eight parts: (1) The civil revolution in China, (2) The countryside bases, (3) The Long Match of the Red Army, (4) The Anti Japanese War, (5) Decisive civil battles before the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, (6) The Mao Era before the Great Cultural Revolution, (7) The Great Cultural Revolution, and (8) The Reform and opening up. This version of the book is without pictures.













Records of Jin Dynasty 晋纪


Book Description

Zi Zhi Tong Jian (Chinese: 资治通鉴;English: "Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance") is a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084 in the form of a chronicle. In 1065 AD, Emperor Yingzong of Songordered the great historian Sima Guang (1019–1086 AD) to lead with other scholars such as his chief assistants Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu, the compilation of a universal history of China. The task took 19 years to be completed,and, in 1084 AD, it was presented to his successor Emperor Shenzong of Song. The Zi Zhi Tong Jian records Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynasties and spanning across almost 1,400 years,and contains 294 volumes (巻) and about 3 million Chinese characters. The principal text of the Zizhi Tongjian was recorded on 294 Juan, or Volume (Chinese: 卷), which are scrolls corresponding to a volume, chapter, or section of the work. The text is a chronological narrative of the history of China from the Warring States to the Five Dynasties. Sima Guang left the traditional usage in Chinese historiography. For almost 1,000 years since the Shiji was written, standard Chinese dynastic histories had primarily divided chapters between annals (紀) of rulers, and biographies (傳) of officials. In Chinese terms, the book changed the format of histories from biographical style (紀傳體) to chronological style (編年體), which is better suited for analysis, activism and criticism. According to Wilkinson: "It had an enormous influence on later Chinese historical writing, either directly or through its many abbreviations, continuations, and adaptations. The 294 Juan sweep through 11 Chinese historical periods (Warring States, Qin, Western Han, Eastern Han, Three Kingdoms, Jin and the Sixteen Kingdoms, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties). It was one of the largest historical magna opera in history. The book consisted of 294 chapters, of which the following number describe each respective dynastic era: 1.5 chapters - Zhou (1046-256 BC) 2.3 chapters - Qin (221-207 BC) 3.60 chapters - Han (206 BC-220 AD) 4.10 chapters - Wei (220-265) 5.40 chapters - Jin (265-420) 6.16 chapters - Liu Song (420-479) 7.10 chapters - Qi (479-502) 8.22 chapters - Liang (502-557) 9.10 chapters - Chen (557-589) 10.8 chapters - Sui (589-618 AD) 11.81 chapters - Tang (618-907) 12.6 chapters - Later Liang (907-923) 13.8 chapters - Later Tang (923-936) 14.6 chapters - Later Jin (936-947) 15.4 chapters - Later Han (947-951) 16.5 chapters - Later Zhou (951-960) The book includes Volume 79 to 118 covering Jin Dynasty among a series of books of Zi Zhi Tong Jian.