The Tao of Deception: Unorthodox Warfare in Historic and Modern China

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.