This ancient Chinese work on military strategy by Master Sun is dating back a period in Chinese history where the central feudal state governed by the Zhou rulers was in decline with the result that regional rulers waged war among themselves to gain supremacy over each other. Sun, living at some time during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.) was a military leader who wrote a remarkable piece of work dealing with the thirteen strategical principles (strategems) to be applied in warfare. His text is considered the oldest book on military strategy, and what he wrote was studied and considered useful and applied many centuries later inside and outside military. This book is in its essence a psychology and philosophy of war dealing with opponents in military struggle and civil life alike. The principles elaborated on are appreciated by leaders of military, business corporations and in sports today.

The editor of this book, Dr Muhammad Schmidt, graduated in Linguistics, Sinology, African, English and German studies as well as Theology and Comparative Religion from universities in Germany and the United States of America and gained rich teaching and research experience at universities worldwide (Europe, Asia, Africa and USA) with numerous publication to his credit.