"In war, intelligence is of the essence, for it is what the armies depend upon in their every move."

Sun Tzu explains why spies are the linchpin of success in all wars, and how to recruit and deploy them wisely. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"Disaster, by definition, is failing to capitalize on your achievements despite victory in battle and seizure of the spoils..."

Sun Tzu describes different forms of incendiary attacks and how to best utilize them, as well as dispensing advice on prudence in committing to actions that cannot be undone. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"Suppose someone posed the question, 'How should we prepare for an enemy fortified with great numbers and with strict discipline, who is about to advance on us?'..."

Sun Tzu describes the nine types of ground and how a prudent commander should treat each, as well as the psychology of the typical soldier in various types of circumstances and how a commander should plan to manipulate it. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"Know the enemy and your own, and victory is in sight. Know the terrain and timing, and victories will be total."

Sun Tzu describes the weaknesses and advantages of engaging in combat in each of the six types of terrain, as well as the six routes to certain defeat, and how a prudent commander must gauge his own forces as well as the land. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"In war, it is not numbers that give the advantage. It suffices if you do not advance recklessly, are able to consolidate your own strength, get a clear picture of the enemy's situation, and secure the full support of your men."

Sun Tzu dispenses advice for positioning one's own troops - as well as what the shrewd commander can read of the enemy's situation and disposition just from looking at where their troops stationed and how they behave. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"Do not count on the enemy not coming. Depend instead on your side being prepared to confront him..."

Sun Tzu details nine contingencies - five actions that a wise commander will take and four targets he will avoid avoid engaging with - for best advantage when mobilizing troops. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"No task is more demanding than the contest between armies, whose difficulty lies in straightening a winding path, and turning trouble to one's own advantage."

Sun Tzu details how critical pre-battle preparations can be, with special attention to army transportation, setting up communication systems, and deciding how and when to engage in combat. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"To be prepared everywhere is to be strong nowhere."

Sun Tzu discusses the fine art of leveraging your own strength against an enemy's weaknesses to control his options and compel his decisions. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"In general, conventional methods engage the enemy, while surprise secures victory."

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).

"It is you who determine your own invincibility, but whether the enemy can be conquered or not rests with him."

Sun Tzu counsels the wise commander to hew closely to the prudent tactics of those who want victory for its own sake, rather than flashy victory as a means for boosting or proving their own ego. [Voice: Lilissen]

Intro/outro music: Eidolon by Scott Buckley – www.scottbuckley.com.au (track modified for length).