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Ancient people concerned sacred gifts with the big piety, and, under the decision of tsar Priama, the horse has been brought in a city and installed in devoted Athena of a citadel. With arrival of night the armed achaeans sitting in a game have got out outside and have attacked sleeping townsmen. So, thanks to a horse, Troy so Trojan war has ended has been grasped.
Presently this legend is known to everyone, and the Grecian horse became for a long time nominal concept – our ironic contemporaries even named his name a destructive computer virus. That Troy has fallen because of a horse, is perceived as an axiom. But if somebody to ask, and why the horse became a cause of death of Troy, – the person, most likely, will be at a loss with the answer.

And really, why?
It appears, by this question were set already in the ancient time. Many antique authors tried to find a reasonable explanation to a legend. The diversified assumptions were come out: for example that achaeans had a fighting tower on the wheels, made in the form of a horse and upholstered with horse skins; or that Greeks managed to get into a city through a subway on which door the horse has been drawn; or that the horse was a sign on which achaeans in the dark distinguished each other from opponents… Now it is considered to be that the Grecian horse is allegory of any military cunning applied by achaeans at a capture of a city.

It is a lot of versions, but to admit, any of them doesn’t give the satisfactory answer. Probably, would be naive to consider that in this short research we will manage to answer more exhaustively such “old” question, but to try nevertheless costs. Who knows – perhaps, the Grecian horse slightly will slightly open to us the secret.
So, we will try to understand position of achaeans. Simulating siege removal, they should leave under walls of Troy something such that Trojans would be simply obliged to take in a city. Most likely, this role should play посвятительный gift to gods because to neglect sacred gift from the point of view of the ancient person meant to insult a deity. And with the angered deity of a joke are bad. And here, thanks to an inscription on one side, the wooden statue receives the status of gift to the goddess to Athena patronizing both achaeans, and Trojans. What to do with such doubtful “gift”? It was necessary it (though and with some опаской) to bring in a city and to establish in a sacred place.
However a role посвятительного gift almost any sacred image could play. Why the horse has been chosen?
Troy long since was famous for the лошадьми, because of them from all world’s ends here there came dealers, because of them on a city attacks were often made. In “Illiada” of Trojans name “hippodamoi”, “tamers of horses”, and legends tell that Trojan tsar Dardana had a herd of the magnificent horses conducting the origin from the north of Boreas. In general, the horse was one of the most beings close to the person in ancient horse-breeding, agricultural and military culture. From this point of view, for Achaean soldiers was quite natural in quality посвятительного for nothing to leave under walls of Troy of a horse.
By the way, images for sacred statues and sacrificial gifts got out not casually. Each deity had animals devoted to it, it could accept their shape: so, Zevs in myths turns to a bull, Apollo – in a dolphin, and Dionis – in a panther. In cultures of the Mediterranean the horse in one of the aspects contacted fertility of fields, with a plentiful crop, with mother-earth (in the most ancient mythology goddess Demetra sometimes turned to a mare). But at the same time the fine freedom-loving animal often associated with violent, spontaneous and uncontrollable force, with earthquakes and destruction and in this quality was a sacred animal of god Poseidon.

So, maybe, a key to a solution of the Grecian horse – in “earths Kolebatele” Poseidon? Among Olympians this god differed an indomitable temper and propensity to destructions. And with Troy it had old abacus. Probably, destruction of Troy by a horse – only allegory of the strong earthquake which have ruined a city?

It appears, it has really occurred. But only there was it with other Troy.

To Priama tsar Laomedont who has become famous for the avarice and insidiousness was the governor of Troy. Once gods Apollo and Poseidon punished by Zevsom have been given it to a service. Apollo grazed herds, and Poseidon подвизался as the builder: put up round a city impregnable walls. However after term gods haven’t got compensation for the work and with threats have been expelled. Then they have sent on a city epidemic and a sea monster. To rescue Troy from a monster Gerakl was caused and has successfully carried out the enterprise, but the greedy tsar has here again regretted the put award – hasn’t given magic white horses. Then Gerakl has collected an army, has returned under walls of Troy, has razed a city to the ground and has killed Laomedonta, and on a kingdom has planted Priama (“Priam” means “bought”: it has really been redeemed from slavery by the sister).

Modern archeologists consider that legendary Troy Laomedonta has the historical analog – so-called Troy VI which were lost from strong earthquake shortly before events of Trojan war. But earthquakes, as it is known from mythology, Poseidon sent in anger of “earth Kolebatel”. Probably that the destroyed city cataclysm has accepted in a myth the allegorical form of anger of Poseidon on Trojans. Besides, white horses, its sacred animals, have formally served as a cause of accident. (Troy as if any fate pursued: twice to be destroyed because of horses!)

Unfortunately, the divine anger hardly concerned the Grecian horse. Troy Priama has fallen not because of cataclysm (it is proved also by archeologists), and has been grasped and plundered by achaeans. Besides, in Trojan war Poseidon sides with Trojans, and the idea to get into a city by means of a horse is prompted by its immemorial competitor Athena.

So, the symbolics of a horse isn’t settled by Poseidon…

In some, especially archaic, traditions the horse symbolizes transition in other space, in other qualitative condition, in a place inaccessible to usual means. On a game about eight feet the shaman makes the mystical travel, at этрусков the horse transports souls died in an underground kingdom, the wonderful horse the Beetroot transfers Muhammada on the sky. Yes what far to go – remember our Skate-gorbunka which transfers Ivanushku and in Tridevjatoe a kingdom, and on a visit to the Sun and the Moon.

You ask, what it concerns Troy? The most direct. According to the Homere, Trojan war lasted almost ten years, within ten years achaeans couldn’t take the walls of a city constructed, according to a myth, god Poseidon. Actually, Troy from the point of view of a myth was “an inaccessible” place, some kind of “the bewitched city” which couldn’t be won usual means. To get to a city, to heroes even not military cunning, and special, magic “carrier” was required. And the wooden horse with which help they carry out that ten years (naturally unsuccessfully tried to make becomes such carrier, speaking about a wooden game-carrier and “the bewitched city”, we mean not historical, but a mythological reality).

But if to follow this version Troy described by the Homere, receives absolutely special value. It is a question any more of a small fortress on the bank of Pontus and at all about capital ancient малоазийского the states. Homeric Troy receives the status of a certain transcendental place for which battle is conducted. And the fights occurring under walls and within the precincts of this Troy, – at all vendetta between two tribes, and reflection of the events receiving world value. The Trojan horse opens last certificate of this world drama.

By the way, it proves to be true also scope of war. Archaeological Troy – only a small fortress. Why for its capture, according to the Homere, from 160 cities-states of Greece – from 10 to 100 ships, that is fleet a minimum the ships go to 1600 ships? And if to increase by 50 soldiers on everyone is an army more than in 80 thousand persons! (For comparison: it was required to Alexander the Great about 50 thousand persons to win all Asia.) even if it is an author’s hyperbole, it testifies that the Homere attached to this war exclusive significance.

What has occurred under walls of homeric Troy?

Usually it is considered that war has begun with the well-known feast of gods on wedding of Peleja and Fetidy, parents of Ahilla on which the goddess of contention has thrown an apple with an inscription of “Finest” and three goddesses – Athena, Gera and Aphrodite – have argued among themselves for the right to receive it. Their dispute son Priama resolves, Paris whom, having tempted with prospect to have the finest in the world the spouse (Elena), awards an apple to Aphrodite (further Paris abducts Elena, and war is played).

But, actually, war has begun much earlier: when Zevs, having been tired of complaints of mother-earth to which the mankind caused sufferings the ungodliness, has decided to destroy a mankind part, but not by means of cataclysm, and hands of people. The purpose of “a world drama” is clear, business behind the main characters.

Then from marriage of Zevsa and Nemesidy Elena, perfect beauty for which all heroic world will battle is born. From marriage of Peleja and Fetidy last is born greatest of mortal – hero Ahill. And at last, “instigator” of war of Paris with a prediction is born that it will ruin the Trojan kingdom. So, all characters are, there is Elena’s abduction and the war, which present purpose is untied – to destroy two great kingdoms and best of heroes of the ancient world.

And conceived by Zevsom comes true: under walls of Troy almost all heroes, both achaeans, and Trojans perish. And from those who will survive in the war, many will be lost on the way home, someone as tsar Agamemnon, will find death from hands of relatives houses, someone will be expelled and will spend life in wanderings. As a matter of fact, it is the end of a heroic century. Under walls of Troy there are no winners and aren’t present won, heroes leave in the past, and comes it is time ordinary people.

By the way, it is curious that the horse is symbolically connected also with a birth and death. The horse from the fir-tree tree, bearing something in the belly, symbolizes a birth new, and the Grecian horse is made just of fur-tree boards, and in its hollow stomach the armed soldiers sit. It turns out that the Grecian horse bears death for defenders of a fortress, but at the same time means also a birth something new.

Modern researchers date Trojan war about 1240 BC (archaeological for this date it is necessary  destruction of Troy VII). Approximately during the same time in the Mediterranean there was one more important event: one of great resettlements of the people has begun. From the north to Balkan peninsula tribes дорийцев, the barbarous people which has completely destroyed an ancient Mycenaean civilization have moved. Only after the lapse of several centuries Greece will revive and it will be possible to speak about the Greek history. Destructions will be so great that all додорийская history becomes a myth (so that only from the middle of XIX century scientists will start to speak seriously about Mycenaean Greece and about Troy, and before they will be considered as a fairy tale). From those 160 Greek states which are mentioned by the Homere in “the Catalogue of the ships”, half will cease to exist, and the greatest, Mycenae, Tirinf and Pilos, will turn to small villages. Trojan war becomes an original boundary between the ancient and new world, between Mycenaean and classical Greece.

From the heroes battling under walls of Troy, in live there were only two: Odysseus and Enej. And it isn’t casual. Both of them have special mission. Эней will go to create the “new Troy” and to begin Rome, a civilization of a future world. And Odysseus… “Multiwise and distressful” the hero will make great wandering home to find the promised land. That in the wandering to lose and again to find everything that to it it is expensive, including own name. To reach borders of the manned world and to visit the countries which nobody saw and whence came back nobody. To go down in the world dead both again to “revive” and long to wander on waves of Ocean, a great symbol Unconscious and Unknown.

Odysseus will make great wandering in which “the old” person will symbolically die and “the hero of new time” will be born. It will transfer great sufferings and anger of gods. It will be the new hero – vigorous, acute and wise, inquisitive and dexterous. The ineradicable aspiration to learn the world, the ability to solve a problem not physical strength and valor, and sharp mind it isn’t similar to heroes of the “old” world. It will enter an antagonism with gods, and gods will be compelled to recede before the person.

Probably, not casually therefore Odysseus becomes an ideal of a coming epoch – classical Greece. Together with Troy the old world will irrevocably leave, and with it something will leave mysterious and secret. But something will be born new. It will be the world the person becomes which hero: the master and the traveler, the philosopher and the citizen, the person who is not depending any more from forces of Fate and game of gods, but creating the destiny and the history.
About prominent features of arising military art of the given period it is possible to make to itself representation on a heroic poem of the Ancient Greek poet of the Homere “Illiada” in which it describes one of episodes of the Trojan war occurring between achaeans (Greeks) and Trojans in XII century BC However thus it is necessary to consider that the poem has been created in the middle of IX century BC, i.e. later 300 years after Trojan war. Hence, “Illiada” was created under legends. Besides, as the Greek historian Fukidid correctly marked, the Homere has exaggerated value of this war and has embellished it, and therefore it is necessary to concern data of the poet very carefully. But us receptions of conducting fight — from Trojan war to the Homere inclusive, first of all, interest during this period, — on which the poet informs.

The city of Troy has been located in several kilometers from coast of Hellespont (Dardanelsky passage). Through Troy passed trading ways which the Greek tribes used. Probably, Trojans disturbed to trade of Greeks, it has forced the Greek tribes to unite and begin war with Troy. But Trojans numerous allies (Lycia supported, Misija, etc.) owing to what war has accepted long character and proceeded more than nine years.

The city of Troy (now on its place there is a Turkish place of Gissarlyk) has been enclosed by a high stone wall with a teeth. Achaeans didn’t dare to storm a city and didn’t block it. Operations occurred on an equal field between a city and camp of achaeans which settled down on the bank of Hellespont. Trojans sometimes rushed into camp of the opponent, trying to light the Greek ships which have been pulled out on coast.

The Homere has in detail listed the ships of achaeans and has counted 1186 courts on which the hundred-thousandth army has been transported. Undoubtedly that the number of the ships and number of soldiers are exaggerated. Besides, it is necessary to consider that these ships were simply big boats as them easily pulled out on coast and quickly enough floated. Such ship couldn’t lift 100 persons.

Therefore will assume more truly that achaeans had some thousand soldiers. The tsar of “multigolden Mycenae” headed this army of Agamemnon. At the head of soldiers of each tribe there was a leader.

The spear for a throwing with a copper tip was the main weapon of the Greek soldiers, therefore achaeans the Homere names “копьеборными”.

Besides, the soldier had a copper sword and good protective arms: поножи, an armor on breasts, a helmet with a horse mane and the big board fettered by copper. Breeding leaders battled on fighting chariots or having dismounted. Ordinary soldiers have been armed worse: they had spears, пращи, “pole-axes two-sharp”, axes, onions with arrows, boards and were a support for the leaders, which entered single combat with the best soldiers of Troy. From descriptions of the Homere we can present conditions in which took place single combat. Opponents settled down nearby from each other.
Fighting chariots stood in a row; soldiers removed the armor and put them near to chariots, then took seat on the earth and observed of single combat of the leaders. Единоборствующие at first threw spears, then fought copper swords which soon became unfit for use. Having lost a sword, battling took cover in the ranks of the tribe or to it submitted the new weapon for struggle continuation. With killed the winner removed an armor and took away its weapon.

For fight conducting fighting chariots and infantry took place in a certain order. Fighting chariots were built ahead of infantry in a line with alignment preservation, “that anybody, on art and the force relying, against a trojan ahead of the others alone didn’t fight, that and back didn’t correct”. Behind fighting chariots, being covered “выпуклобляшными” with boards, the pedestrian soldiers armed with spears with copper tips were under construction. The infantry was under construction in some ranks which the Homere names “dense phalanxes”. Leaders built infantry, exhausting cowardly soldiers in the middle, “that also to the one who doesn’t want, it was necessary to battle necessarily”.

Fight was entered at first by fighting chariots, and then “is continuous one for other phalanxes of achaeans moved to fight on Trojans”, “silently walked, leaders being afraid of the”.

The infantry at first struck blow by spears, and then was cut with swords. With fighting chariots the infantry struggled by means of copies. Participated in fight and archers, but the arrow was considered as undependable means even in hands of the excellent archer.

The struggle outcome was solved by physical strength and art of possession by the weapon. The primitive weapon often refused: copper tips of copies bent, and swords from strong blows broke. Maneuver in the field of fight wasn’t applied yet, but there were already rudiments of the organization of interaction of fighting chariots and the pedestrian soldiers.

Usually fight proceeded before night. At night if the agreement was reached, corpses were burned. If the agreement wasn’t, opponents exposed guards, организуя protection of the army which were in the field, and defensive works (a fortification and camp strengthenings — a ditch, the pointed stakes and a wall with towers). The guards consisting usually from several groups, took place behind a ditch. Investigation in a camp of the enemy for the purpose of capture captured at night was sent and findings-out of intentions of the opponent, were held meetings of breeding leaders on which the question on the further actions was solved. In the morning fight renewed.

Trojans, having become successful in fight, have rejected achaeans to their strengthened camp. Then they have got over through a ditch and have started to storm a wall with towers, but have been rejected. However soon they managed to break stones of a collar and to rush into camp of achaeans. Fight at the ships was fastened. Till this time some soldiers didn’t participate in fight, owing to intertribal break a set. Danger has forced achaeans to rally, therefore at the ships Trojans have met fresh forces of the opponent. It was the dense system of close boards “peak near peaks, a board at a board, coming under next”. Soldiers were built in some ranks owing to what “in courageous fluctuating hands, layers spears” lasted. In it to a system achaeans have reflected Trojans, counterattack — “blows of sharp swords and peak two-final” — have rejected them.

Describing a course of action at the Achaean ships, the Homere has shown some moments of a tactical order. He mentions ambushes in which valor of soldiers, as he said, is most of all shown, speaks about a choice the achaeans who have appeared in time to the aid of a place for blow drawing: “Where, Devklid, you intend to attack a Trojan army? With right you want to strike wing on enemies, in the middle ль, with left?”. It has been decided to put blow from the left wing.

Fight lasting many days hasn’t solved a war outcome. Finally Troy was is taken by cunning. Achaeans have floated the ships, have plunged and have sailed. While the Trojans who have been made dizzy by success, celebrated a victory, one of groups of achaeans has secretly got into Troy at night, has opened gate of a city and has let in the army which has come back because of island behind which it took cover. Troy has been plundered and destroyed. So long-term Trojan war has ended.

Article by Radhika Sinha

Current affairs cover a large area of information. It can be a business deal or an article on the country with highest economy. It can be anything from a trivial matter to a massive event. However, we as human beings should pay focus to every current affair and learn. It will not only update us with mere facts and events, it will enlarge our vision; give us perspective of what others think of certain events or incidents. Current affairs destruct the lines of privacy and unfold even the most confidential information. Thy exposure available to us today was not accessible to the people of earlier decades. In earlier times, it was considered important enough to inform the general public of important decisions being made for the country. The aristocracy was the dominant power then, and only a handful of people knew about the most confidential information of the country and how to deal with it. But today, the scenario has changed; the general public requires an answer, for every deed done, every contract signed, and every war fought.

Our vision and perception to understand the world has become much broader and clearer. We are active participants in the on-going activities of the world. In a country like India, which is the biggest democratic country in the world, it is essential for its citizens to stay updated with the current affairs of India and the world. For example; We are given the power to vote, to choose our own government. It is a big decision to make. We have to choose the best party which would not only fulfill our personal needs but work for the betterment of the entire country. But how do we decide who is best for us, if we do not know what are the problems around us? Areas like politics, business, economy, play a major role in the growth of a country. If we do not know, which area our country lacks in, on what basis can be choose the minds to solve these problems? We need to be active participants in our country. India is a country which has much cultural diversity. But it gives equal opportunities to its citizens. We should make full use of the opportunity given to us and work for the betterment of our society.

Current affairs also make us more educated. In this world, textual knowledge is not enough. Every career field we enter into, recruits a candidate who is well aware of India, of the problems prevail and the areas that are growing.

Therefore, make it a point to read the newspapers daily or watch news channels. You should not confine yourself to specific areas, like economy affairs or business current affairs but gain information on every field. This would prove beneficial to you in life, and make you a more knowledgeable and intellectual being.

The Civil War

The American Civil War is a very significant point in American History. It marks the end of one way of living and begins a new way of living for the American people. While some textbooks on the Civil War get the general facts right, there are still many more facts that present biased views as facts. While comparing and contrasting the three textbooks; Give Me Liberty (college), The Civil War for Kids (elementary school), and The American Civil War (middle school), there were some main points that were all portrayed very differently in each. While the three textbooks agreed on the portrayal of women during the war, the Emancipation Proclamation and the description of blacks in the military contradicted each other.

All three of the textbooks talked about what northern women did during the war and the all agreed with each other. During the civil war, many women took over their husbands’ jobs when the men went off to fight. Women in the north took over factory jobs and nursing jobs. Many northern women also organized all kinds of fundraisers and gathered supplies to send to the soldiers. (Foner, 505). The other two textbooks also agreed with these facts. Both the elementary and the middle school book talk about women volunteering to take care of the soldiers on the fields and, if they stayed home, raised money and sent care packages. “Millions of women played a vital role in the Civil War. They not only maintained the homes but carried on the fieldwork that their men had left behind. In addition, they sewed clothing and prepared gifts parcels for the absent men, visited the patients in military hospitals, and raised funds to help support the war.” (Dolan, 57) However, the overall portrayal of northern women differs greatly in the older textbook and the younger textbooks. The college textbook talks about how women embraced their independence while the men were gone. “The very act of volunteering …brought many northern women into the public sphere and offered them a taste of independence” (Foner, 506) The college textbook portray as volunteering because they were independent women. However the younger textbooks portray the women as pining after the men and following them to the war. “She fed and cared for the wounded men and assisted the doctors during surgery. She was devoted to the soldiers and they to her” (Herbert, 56). While the college book only has a few sentences on “Barton”, the two younger books spend a few pages on her and her independence, unusual from other women. While both of the text books correctly inform the reader of northern women, the younger books put a spin on it that implies that women were still dependent on men during the war while talks about women enjoying their independence.

One issue that textbooks contradicted each other on was the issues of free black and slaves. Only one of the books, The American Civil War, talks about slave life before the Emancipation Proclamation.

“ The slaves were housed, clothed, and fed by their owners, given the evening off for their own pleasures, and tended by the owner’s doctor when ill. Their young children played with the owner’s children, older slave women cared for the owner’s youngsters. In all, most slaves were treated like other servants of the day.” (Dolan, 18)

Overall, this paints a happy little picture of the slave life for children reading this book. It does not even imply the horrors and fear of being a slave. The only bad thing that happened to them was a “loss of freedom”. Then, both the young textbooks go on to talk about the war until the point of the Emancipation proclamation. In reality, Lincoln was not an abolitionist based on morals, all he was focused on was keeping the Union together. Lincoln made it clear that “in the early days of war, the Union had no intention to interfere with slavery” (Foner, 491). In fact, Lincoln actually revived the idea of colonization, and wanted black emigration! (Foner, 493). The only reason that the Emancipation became the focus of the war was because Lincoln saw that it was necessary in order to win the war with the South. “Since slavery stood at the foundation of the southern economy…emancipation was necessary to weaken the South’s ability to sustain war” (Foner, 493). Also, in the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln did not free all slaves, he only freed the ones that were living in the confederate states. In an effort to keep support of the border states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Mississippi), because they hadn’t joined the South yet, he allowed them to keep the slaves they had. (Foner 494). To the credit of the middle school book, The American Civil War, this information about the border states is mentioned. (Dolan, 62) However, in the elementary book, The Civil War for Kids, there is no mention of the borders states at all. “Lincoln honored the victory by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. Beginning January 1, 1863, slaves in the Confederate states would be made free”. This actually implies to the readers that all the slaves were freed, which is inaccurate.

The last issue that arose in the textbooks was the issue of blacks in the military. All of the books agree that many ex-slaves and also free blacks from the North were enlisted in the military for the Union to help fight. However, all three of the textbooks disagree on how they were treated while in the military. The elementary book simply says “It was thought by some that the newly freed slaves wouldn’t be disciplined enough in battle to lead themselves. The brave new black recruits quickly proved them wrong” (Herbert, 50). The middle school book states, “…the troops faced a problem – the widespread white feeling that black men would never make courageous fighters” but then goes on to say that was fixed after they proved themselves in battle. (Dolan, 63) However, neither of the book s goes into detail about how mistreated black soldiers really were. Black soldiers were segregated from whites, were paid lower wages, usually assigned to combat rather than labor, and could not rise to the rank of a commissioned officer until the end of the war. (Foner, 497).

Overall, the portrayal of the Civil War in younger textbooks is very inaccurate. Of course, there are many other discrepancies as well. However, women, the Emancipation Proclamation, and black soldier are three big points. While the textbooks do give general details, the do not accurately portray the Civil War to their own readers.

WORKS CITED

Dolan, Edward F. The American Civil War. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook P, 1997.

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! 2nd ed. Vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc,

2009.

Herbert, Janis. The Civil War for Kids. Chicago: Chicago Review P, 1999.

The Socio-political Effects of the Vietnam War

You’re Name                                                                

          Axia College of the University of Phoenix

The Vietnam War was the most controversial and politically unsettling events in American history.  While the war had many dramatic effects on society, the distrust in the American government and politicians that it generated has had a lasting effect on some of today’s citizens and advocacy groups.   This attitude shaped many individuals political beliefs which have been passed down to younger generations.  While this distrust does not affect all members of society, it is important to realize the strong emotions that the Vietnam War ignited and understand the impact it had on certain generations.  There were several factors that created this general distrust.  One of these factors included America’s continued presence in Vietnam when funding was out of the country’s budget.  On top of warfare spending, President Johnson implemented and Congress supported a number of much needed domestic programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Federal Education spending (“Great Society,” 2009).  However, as taxes were not raised to help support these new programs, President Johnson’s Great Society agenda resulted in inflation and an incredible contribution to the federal debt.  Another event that impacted the public’s view of government dishonesty during this time was President Nixon’s involvement with the infamous Watergate scandal which eventually led to his resignation on August 9, 1974.  Furthermore, when President Nixon began his presidency, people believed he would work to bring an end to America’s involvement in the Vietnam.  Yet, this was not the case as Nixon increased bombing raids and authorized the invasion of Cambodia.         

            When the war started, the American people were led to believe that the war was a necessity to ensure the protection of the nation as a whole.  However, as the war continued, extensive media coverage started to reveal the ugly truth.  Images of public executions and the horrific truths of the war were revealed on the television screens of America.  Therefore, the media had a huge impact on the anti-war sentiment which erupted across the nation.  The country seemed to be divided into two groups: those opposed to the war and those who felt that America had a job to do although unpleasant.  Aside from the media, the resistance to war first began as the draft lottery was reenacted.  While draft deferments and exemptions were in place for students who entered college, many men who could not afford this luxury were forced to fight in a war that was being questioned by many.  Those students on college campuses who were able to avoid the draft held strong opinions regarding America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.  Therefore, many anti-war protests began on America’s college campuses.  Student activism took on various elements outside of the war as well.  Many of the student activists were also involved in other political forums such as the Civil Rights movement and Women’s Rights movement.  However, the average student activist became involved due to their concern for governmental policies and their increasing doubt in American society in general. The first major protests were organized by the Students for a Democratic Society or SDS (“Anti-War,” 2009).  These protests began in 1965 and grew in frequency on college campuses across the United States.  As student participation continued, a counter-culture erupted resulting in the “hippie” movement.  This group focused on the ideas of peace, freedom, and free love and demonstrated such beliefs through psychedelic music, art, activism, college sit-ins, anti-war protests, elicit drug use, and sexual expression.  This anti-war movement was promoted by many celebrities such as Bob Dylan, The Grateful Dead, and John Lennon to name a few. These musicians helped support student activism by using their music as a platform for freedom of expression and anti-violence messages.  Overall, student activism and the anti-war movement not only affected the end result of the Vietnam War, but also influenced the way Americans view and react to the political issues of today’s society. 

References

Anti-war. (2009, May 25). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on August 20, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anti-war&oldid=292165075

Great Society. (2009, June 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on August 20,     2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Great_Society &oldid=297469133

Opposition to the US involvement in the Vietnam War. (2009, June 18). In Wikipedia,

The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on August 20 2009, from http://en.wikipedia. org/w/index.php?title=Opposition_to_the_US_involvement_in_the_Vietnam_War&oldid=297126153

Vietnam War. (2009, June 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on August 20,     2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vietnam_ War&oldid=297521231

To call the French and Indian War America’s “forgotten war” would be misleading, since that doesn’t leave any good nicknames for the Barbary Wars, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, or the Korean War. Otherwise, the title fits; the hugely influential French and Indian war, fought between Britain, France, several Native American nations, and the colonials, is responsible for the fact that, among other things, the US is down here and French Canada is way up there.

Up until the war started in 1754, Britain’s then-small strip of North American colonies was hemmed in on all sides by the Atlantic, the French to the north and west, and the Spanish down in Florida and parts of Georgia and Alabama. In fact, more territory in what is now the US had been claimed by France than by Britain. Imagine a French modern-day Missouri.

Or Kentucky. Or Minnesota, don’tcha know. In the meantime, the Native Americans remaining in the areas had been forced to take sides – though many groups, such as the Iroquois League, made the most of the encroachment by negotiating secret agreements with both parties.

The trouble all started when a dispute arose over the Ohio Valley area. In 1753, at just 21 years of age, George Washington was assigned by the British governor of Virginia to go tell the French to skedaddle. With no military training or prior experience, he led his men through 500 miles of wilderness to complete his mission – only to be rebuffed by the French. Within a year, he was ordered to return to the Forks of the Ohio to build a competing British fort, only this time, he would be accompanied by Tanaghrisson, governor of the Delawares, Shawnees, and Mingos of the Ohio Valley. Along the way, Washington entered into a skirmish with the French just outside of modern-day Pittsburgh. The British won and everything went swimmingly until Tanaghrisson decided to slaughter the captured French officer and his wounded soldiers during negotiations.

Thus (unofficially) began the French and Indian War, which would ultimately result in the British takeover of all French territory in North America. The Brits fared horribly for the first few years due to an arrogant unwillingness to align themselves with natives and an overall snootiness toward their “inferior” colonial subjects. (Note to self: ranking colonial officers below British infantry is not a morale booster.) Actually, Britain’s decisive victory couldn’t have been achieved without the fact that Prussia happened to invade the Austrian protectorate of Saxony in 1756.

Before you start getting any wild ideas about Chaos Theory, keep in mind that Britain and France were engaged in the Seven Years’ War back in Europe, and that Prussia and Austria were British and French allies, respectively. Prussia’s invasion therefore forced Britain and France to commit themselves to fighting on the European mainland, giving their colonial subjects more freedom to duke it out amongst themselves. By 1758, after Britain had done some serious rethinking of how to treat its colonials, so many eager North American troops had enlisted that Britain’s forces swelled to 50,000 – which was roughly equal to the entire white population of the French territories. That, plus a little help from their ole friend smallpox, allowed the British to handily defeat its French and native rivals, winning Canada and all the land east of the Mississippi in the process.

In exchange for restoring Cuba to French-allied Spain, Britain also received the Spanish holdings in the Florida area. But according to Britain’s Proclamation of 1763, all land west of the Appalachians was to be preserved as Native American soil. The British had hoped to stem the westward tide of colonial settlers, but instead, the Proclamation just pissed everyone off. Fortunately for the colonials, the French were pretty bitter about their North American defeat, which came in mighty handy when the American Revolution rolled around just over a decade later. And thanks to George Washington’s intensive wilderness training, the rest was US history.

Technological advances in World War II

War is itself a destructive process .The world has already experienced it, twice. The first when WWI occurred in 1913 .The second WWII broke out in 1939. (Eubank, 2004, p. 128) The former was a terrible experience and the latter even more deadly one. Germany’s invasion of Poland is considered as the main event that initiated the war which begin with the triumph of German forces and ended in the defeat of the latter. The causes of German defeat may be what so ever, one aspect to be taken into consideration is the technological advancement. Technology underwent massive modification in itself during the interwar years and still is contributing the society. The large scale research and development urged the society   to utilize technology at different levels. There was much technological advancement during this era.  Categorically, these advances can be divided as follows. These are weaponry, Transportation and military and strategic advances.

        Weaponry

The weaponry experienced a great change during the World War II since the weapons of World War One were obsolete and outdated. They were not as accurate as the weaponry used in this war, and incapable of longer ranges while the weapons used in World War II could mark long distance areas. In World War One, the bolt action fire rifles were used by an average soldier whom had to be reloaded after every shot. In  World War Two, the average soldier  either carried a semi-automatic rifle or a machine gun  The primitive machine guns of World War One were made  more accurate, reliable and  smaller in size and lighter to handle.  Small explosives, such as grenades, were made more deadly and destructive… Soldiers carried high powered rifles with armor piercing bullets and bazookas, which caused terror in the enemy’s camp. This development in the weapon technology completely altered the course of warfare. At the initial stage of war, the anti-tank weapons were not up to the mark so Germany’s blitzkrieg attack of tanks surpassed the allied however, in later stage effective measures against the enemy’s tank attack, were taken into action .Now these were carried behind other vehicles.  Torpedoes became more effective and rapid. These were made more reliable to target accurately and used in shallow water. The basic German flamethrower used in World War One was modified into a more destructive weapon.

            The second group of advances is Transportation. It can be sub divided into few sub categories.

Land vehicles

The Jeep was the popular invention in this regard .This was the basic mode for transporting the soldiers from one area to another .The war  tank was also one of the most important mode of transportation  used in WWII. Tanks now were made much faster, lighter, and stronger. Tank warfare was very important in World War Two. The Germans surpassed the allied in this warfare however; they were distinctly inferior in every other aspect.

Sea vehicles

The next group of transportation is the sea vehicles. A special element in the contest between the powers, making that contest global, was the growth of naval power. The radar was an innovation in the navigation field and helpful in enemy detection. The sea power was crucial and the sea power of the allied forces were without question superior than the Germans .Naval Ships had better equipped weapons.  Aircraft carriers were very effective. The Germans made an innovation to rocket propulsion, which could target long range missiles. Sonar had just been introduced also Naval technology underwent rapid modification in this era.

Aviation

The third group of technological advances is in aircrafts. Aviation is another very important aspect in this regard. There were several types of World War II aircrafts. These were fighters and bombers earlier, the Fighters in WWI, were single engine aircraft that were the most used aircraft in the war. The Bombers were small and couldn’t carry big bombs. Also, they lacked long range capabilities. The third type of aircrafts, the Commercial aircraft was relatively new at this time. The bombers were developed as the largest planes ever made until now .The engines used in the aircrafts were developed into more reliable and lighter ones. To deal with the potential health and safety hazard, the aircrafts were made lighter in weight. Aviation industry utilized the radar for the first time which proved to be highly effective in the war. Pressurized bombing was introduced in this war since it was developed for high altitude flight. The American B-29 Super fortress was the first pressurized bomber. It was the type of plane that could carry the atomic bombs. The B-29 Super fortress was a breakthrough in aviation technology.

Military and Strategic advancement

The last kind of technological advancement is military and strategic advances. Officers enjoyed better training prospects than the WWI. They had to keep themselves in touch with the technology so as to keep themselves upgraded with the technology. Radar created a huge impact in both naval and aviation industries .Last but not the least, the introduction of atomic bomb was one of the main technological advancement in this era. (Divine, 1969, p. 310).   Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastated and converted into cities of rubble due to this invention.

 Conclusion

Technology with its myriad of functionalities has evolved as the king maker and superior force, controlling the events during the war and post war era. The rapid pace of technological advancement is for human minds to adapt and capitalize them .Whosoever capitalizes them the best will have an edge over others. Technology isn’t worth anything until it is put into action. Technology advances of World War Two were great. These advances were very influential, not only during the war, but in the future ideas and developments of technology. Many things can be accredited to World War Two technology. These advances probably changed the outcome of World War Two, but they also changed warfare forever.

Work cited

Eubank.K. (2004).The Origins of World War II. .Harlan Davidson.: Wheeling, IL.

Divine.R.A ed.(1969): Causes and Consequences of World War II.: Quadrangle Books. : Chicago.  

Article by Kartik

On 24 March when news started pouring in that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have taken into custody 15 British marines (from the British frigate HMS Cornwal) off the Persian Gulf, it sent shivers across the world. The pandemonium peaked as neither Iran nor the United Kingdom was ready to budge. While on one hand, the Iranian authorities claimed that the marines in their speedboats had crossed over into Iranian territorial waters, the British authorities, on the other hand, as usual, had been strongly refuting this claim. Finally, Iran’s announcement of releasing the hostages eased the mounting tension, at least for now. Otherwise, it could have led to Gulf War III or, who knows, an eventual World War III. I wonder for how long can Iran avert the impending war.The most significant, yet unanswered, questions in this episode were – Was it mere coincidence that the British marines crossed over into Iranian territorial waters around this time? Or was it that this incident was made to happen? Well, let’s take one issue at a time. This pandemonium was building since the Iraq saga came to an end with the execution of Saddam Hussein. And since then, it was a more of a foregone conclusion that Iraq was about to be followed by another western adventure in Iran. Iran too had been keen to demonstrate – not just by rhetoric, but also by perpetual war games – that its armed forces have been waiting to prove that Iran is no Iraq, and that it is not going to be a sitting duck waiting to be chastised by US-led forces. Their war demonstrations and the series of long range missiles (the 1,300-km range Shehab-3 and anti-ship stealth missiles) that they tested last year were basically to make the US-led coterie take note of what was waiting for them. As usual, for the time being, President George Bush preferred to look the other way; but there has never been doubt in anyone’s mind that war preparations have been going on full throttle at the Pentagon; and that the US would strike – be it today or tomorrow. It would be fanciful thinking to pretend to the contrary. It is not a question of ‘whether’ the US would strike, but ‘when’.Keeping this in mind, there are two or three ways of looking at the British marines incident. I won’t be surprised, and perhaps many others would not be either, if later it is revealed that this entire plan was laid by the CIA to trap Iran (remember the WMDs!). If that was so, Iran fell into the trap initially and captured the marines giving rise to the ideal flare-up that the US was keenly waiting for since a long time. For the past few days, as Iran had been parleying and showcasing the arrested soldiers, the threats by Tony Blair have made the mercury shoot up, along with the oil price; while the world had been waiting with bated breath,not knowing in which direction this would go. Though it was made apparent that neither Iran nor Britain was itching to go to war, the way both the countries had been dealing with the crisis could have only led the world towards that direction. In fact the US was almost successful in creating an ideal stage to put into force the propaganda machinery portraying Ahmadinejad as the perpetrator of global terrorism, which would then make it easier for the US to pitch for the next round of sanctions on Teheran in the UN Security Council.As I had mentioned in an earlier column, the US interest in Iran is more than obvious as the latter is sitting on one of the largest gas reserves of the world, making it geopolitically most strategic for them (the US). With soaring oil prices and depleting reserves, it is quite obvious that gas would not remain the ‘alternative’ fuel for long; and would become the main ideal fuel. And, in fact, Iran had already made the task of American propaganda much simpler by mobilising billions of dollars earned through gas towards defence production (though Iran cannot be solely blamed for this mobilisation – given the type of threat Iran has been persistently facing, it is only obvious that they would indulge in such moves). The Americans were eyeing an opportunity to strike.This was evident from the way the US conducted itself in the entire episode. They had been completely tight-lipped, which I think was more dangerous than when they talk about their war plans. Not only have they not been saying much against Iran recently, they have not even come to the aid of UK, which again depicts two interesting characteristics. One, that they are nobody’s friends. UK had been through thick and thin with the Americans in all their wrongdoings in Iraq; and even took much criticism for it. The British have time and again been asked to pass tests of friendship by coming to the aid of the US with men, money, material and moral support. But at a time when the British needed US help, that help did not come (it might be a lesson for many who have been blindly in favour of increasing Indo-American bonhomie). In fact, their prolonged silence was making it increasingly evident that the US was actually waiting for Iran to make the mistake of executing the British soldiers, as that would have given them the perfect excuse to start their final assault.The timely decision of Ahmadinejad to release the British hostages has not only spoilt the American build-up, but has averted a huge crisis, at least for now! But the question would keep hounding us – how long can Iran avert the inevitable? The day Iran falls into the trap, we would see the beginning of the end of this world.

The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when Confederate forces attacked a U.S. military installation at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This is the deadliest war in American history, causing the deaths of 620,000 soldiers and countless numbers civilian casualties. These are some among the main sites that witnessed the Civil War in the Unites States

Fort Sumter National Monument, located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina was designed as a part of an elaborate coastal defense system after the Civil War of 1812. Today, the monument is one of the most historic forts in the United States. It is known as a beautiful tourist attraction to commemorate the events of the Civil War and the battle that was started at its gates.

Fort Sumter National Monument is located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina

The Shiloh National Military Park was built on December 27, 1894 to preserve the American Civil War Shiloh and Corinth battlefields. It is now home to the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tennessee

A trip to Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania allows visitors to witness some of truly sacred soils in the United States. The park is now marked with many monuments to remember the Civil War’s bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties over three days in 1863.

Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Manassas Battlefield Park in Manassas, Virginia was the scene of two major battles fought during the Civil War. More than 80,000 soldiers from both sides died between two battles. Nowadays, each year, the park attracts over 900,000 people to visit and explore.

Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Virginia

The Antietam National Battlefield located in Sharpsburg, Maryland is the site built to commemorate the American Civil War Battle of Antietam in 1862, the bloodiest battle in the country’s history.

Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland

Vicksburg National Military Park was established to commemorate the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg – the most decisive battles of the American Civil War which was waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863

Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Famous Civil War Sites in U.S: Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina

Related links:

The Ten Deadliest American Civil War Battles

Top Popular Museums in U.S

Short history about nurses in the civil war

Executive Summary

            The introduction by the translator uses both the I Ching and the Tao-te Ching as the basis. TheI Ching and the Tao-te Ching are works of Taoists. In the introduction, Cleary refers to many works of Taoists, because it sets a more formal tone for Sun Tzu. 

            In the Art of War, Sun Tzu writes about many strategies and the usage of them in perspective of generals. One could apply the same idea in the manner of today’s managers. Tzu’s book takes place on the battlefield and he talks about the environment in a more general form.

            In the beginning chapters, Tzu is clear on not fighting to win a war. Tzu stress the assessment of strategies in order to be prepared before war ever begins. The one who will lose is the one who is not readily prepared for it.

            One idea that comes from the later chapters is the idea of formlessness. This idea derives from the element form of water. Water has no real form and its strength is in the ability to change and adept to whatever environment it is held in. This is a key factor in how Tzu construct his plan around this ideology because once a general has master this formlessness then he is able to become all things around his enemy and is able to attain complete victory.

            The idea of victory is different to Tzu. One would often believe that to become victorious, you would have just beaten your opponent in a physical battle. Tzu’s overall view is completely different, almost to a point where it seems Tzu would rather not fight if he can prevent it at all. Tzu often describes physical battle as a last resort; he would ready his men only as an abundance of caution.

            The main idea of how Tzu would plan accordingly is when he knows exactly what he needed to plan for his enemies. Tzu would never let his own self defeat him because he is able to prevent it. Preparation has been the factor when it came to having the upper hand once you in war. Tzu states in order to win the battle; you must win it before the battle even begins. In this type of mindset, you would ready your men physical, while the general and leaders would ready themselves mentally. Tzu also allows for a significant time period in this phase because once you are rushing through, then you allow mistakes to take a greater impact.

            Although, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is a book that took place over two thousands year ago, you can easily transition the applicable ideas into today’s work environment. Managers should read this book in order to grasp the simple idea of how to protect one’s business from attack. Once a manager is able to understand a few of Tzu’s methodology, then the manager can do without rather than with and will attain more keen sense of business.

The Ten Things Managers Need to Know fromThe Art of War

1.            Sun Tzu states that in order gain victory, you will need to win at your headquarters, the place where you will design all your strategies. The one with the most depth and thought-out strategy, then when you win, you will win by that much more.

2.            If you are planning to fight a battle, make sure it is short and decisive. People or soldiers in a long battle will burn themselves out like a fire.

3.            Take three months to prepare your technical strategy and three months for your overall takeover strategy to be complete. When you are planning a takeover, it is best to keep the company intact.

4.            Form alliances with knowledge rather than profits.

5.            Use formlessness as a form of adaptation.

6.            Use the materials of other, so you can save expensing your own company’s resources.

7.            Defeat your competitors without fighting.

8.            Find out what your competitors are planning.

9.            Make a comparison report between you and your competitors so you can assess the weakness and strengths.

10.            Exploit their weakness while you strengthen your weaknesses.

Full Summary of The Art of War

Translator’s Preface/Introduction

            In the preface, the translator, Thomas Cleary, gives a quick history overview of the book’s impact for over two thousand years. Cleary also stress the great work of Taoists; I Ching, which is translated to the Book of Changes, and the Tao-te Ching which is translated to the Way and Its Power.

            Cleary begins his introduction with an old Chinese story, which depicts a tale about two brother physicians and how their differences can be related to the Art of War. Cleary continues with references from the I Ching and the Tao-te Ching. It is important to stress the understanding of Taoism from Cleary’s point of view.

            Cleary, lastly introduces a standard collection of eleven interpreters: Cao Cao is the most distinguished military figure in Chinese history. Meng Shi is known for his time during civil war and massive suffering. Jia Lin is known be to the only for his commentary on the Art of War. Li Quan was a devotee of Taoism as well as the martial arts. Du You served as an official military advisor, war councilor, and military inspector. Du Mu was known as a knight of unflinching honesty and extraordeinary honor. Zhang Yu was apart of the Sung Dynasty. Mei Yaochen served in both lock and central government of the Sung Dynasty. Wang Xi was a scholar in the Hanlin and author of two books on the Spring and Autumn Annals. Chen Hao was known for his extraordinary personal independence and his great aspirations. Ho Yanxi was known for his commentary on The Art of War.

Strategic Assessments

                        “Military actions is important to the nation-it is the ground of death                                     and life, the path of survival and destruction, so it is imperative to                                     examine it”… Tzu, S.

            Sun Tzu begins by addressing the weight on war on a nation. It is necessary to assess one’s surrounding in the terms of the way, weather, lay of the land, leadership, and discipline.

            Sun Tzu first wants to induce the people to have the same mindset, which is describe as the way. Tzu talk about the use of the weather because Tzu understood that soldiers would lose limbs to frostbites and died from the plagues during the winter and the summer.

            Tzu would gain knowledge of the terrain because he would be able to assess the amount of time, soldiers, and difficulty of the travel. Furthermore, Tzu emphasize on a leader with five virtues: intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and sternness. Tzu believes once a general can balance the five virtues then he can truly lead effectively. Also, the discipline talks about organization, chain of command, and logistics.

            In the chapter about strategic assessment, Tzu believes one is able to win the battle at their headquarter. Tzu is through in his assessment of enemies, so he is able to pre-determine their motive and exploit their weaknesses. In Tzu’s preparedness, Tzu determines which has more strategic favors and the determine victor of battle from his assessment. All before the battle has taken place.

Doing Battle

            Sun Tzu describes the many different elements taken place in the midst of battle. One main element being address is the overall length of the battle. Once you are in battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time, then you will exhaust your army and your supplies will be depleted.

            First, you would not want to raise your troops more than once. By gathering your troops more than once in a given period, then you will be exhausting supplies at a rate where you will be expensing the cost to your nation. Also, you will cause the nation’s citizens to be weary and arise bitterness.

            After depleting the nation’s resources then you will have to increase taxes and the nation’s people are being charged for a leader’s misstep. Therefore, a wise general would gain resources off the enemies. Now a quick and decisive victory is often consider vastly important in battle.

Planning A Siege

            In the process of planning a siege, Tzu’s general rule for the use of the military is that it is better to keep a nation intact than to destroy it.

                        It is better to keep an army intact than to destroy it, better to keep a                                     division intact than to destroy it, better to keep a battalion intact than                                     to destroy it, better to keep a unit intact than to destroy it… Tzu, S.

This method allows Tzu to continue to build an empire rather than destroy two.

            After the planning the siege, Tzu instruct on how you should attack the opposing enemies. You should strike while your enemies are planning. Next, you should destroy alliances, then you should attack their army. Tzu address attacking a city, Tzu declares that siege of a city is only done as a last resort because armies will cause many unforeseen casualties. 

Formation

            In the chapter about formation, Tzu explain that to see the inner conditions of opponents by measuring their external formation. Tzu allows another strategy to guide one to victory; defend yourself when you don’t have enough and attack when you have a surplus.

            Tzu decides on patience being a key factor in gaining a more favorable outlook in a battle. In another sense, Tzu declares when it is time to defeat your enemies, then you should defeat your enemies. Tzu describes how bad warriors lose battles with their pride and ego.

Force

                        Force means shifts in accumulated energy or momentum. Skillful                                     warriors are able to allow the force of momentum to seize victory for                                     them without exerting their strength… Tzu, S.

            Tzu decides that it is better to fight with a large number as if you are fighting with a small amount. Breaking down a large army into a division, then further breaking it down to groups, and to cells. Overall, this will allow the momentum to have a far greater impact in a battle.

            Once, the momentum of the army is at their high point, then the force is swift should be considered fast and decisive in battle. The idea of force is considered to be vastly different because it makes the use of both unorthodox and orthodox methods.

Emptiness and fullness

            In this chapter, Tzu begins to discuss the advantages and disadvantages at any given time in battle.

                                    So when opponents are at ease, it is possible to tire them.                                                 When they are well fed, it is possible to starve them. When they                                     are at rest, it is possible to move them… Tzu, S.

            First, Tzu explains what strategy to employ for the given situation. Secondly, Tzu allows for a comparison between the enemy and one’s self because it is prudent in determining the areas in which either you or the enemy is sufficient. In this manner, a general is able to flesh out information of the enemy and therefore you are able to attain formlessness.

            The idea of formlessness is an act of both offense and defense because without a form how can the enemies design a plan of attack or a plan to defend. Tzu compares this idea to the element of water; water has no definite form but it carries it’s strength in accordance with its form.

Armed Struggle

            This has a double meaning, because struggle means struggle for advantage; those who get it first, wins. In order to gain the advantage, one would go great length if it means to secure the victory. If the travel length were long, then you would wear out your soldiers and ensure your defeat. Now, you would want to take advantage of going to battle at the unknown, use the knowledge of the local in place of what you do not know.             

                        The ordinary rule for use of military force is for the military c                                                command to receive the orders from the civilian authorities,                                                 then to gather and mass the troops, quartering them together.                                                 Nothing is harder than armed struggle…Tzu, S.

Adaptations                                   

                        The general rule for military operations is that the military                                                 leadership receives the order from the civilian leadership to                                                 gather armies. Let there be no encampment on difficult terrain.                                     Let diplomatic relations be established at borders. Do not stay                                                 in barren or isolated territory. When on surrounded ground,                                                 plot. When on deadly ground, fight.

            In Tzu’s chapter about adaptation, his tone has change to a more survival type of view. At first, Tzu has declared to only fight when it’s a last resort, now he begin to stretch the possibility of fighting once you are in a position in which you are surround and has to fight in order to survive.

            The five dangerous traits in generals are: Those who are ready to die can be killed, those who are intent on living can be captured, those who are quick to anger can be shamed, those who are puritanical can be disgraced, those who love people can be troubled. Enemies easily exploit these traits, so Tzu is keen on how one should prepare for this. Tzu explains the faults in general by not allowing the generals to subject themselves to jovial feelings rather act accordingly to the events.

Maneuvering Armies

            After assessing the situation and determining your advantages, you would choose to use the most advantageous strategy.

            The strategy should take into consideration the following:

Terrain

            It is in the best interest of the general to understand the form of the land. One would be consider a basic lesson for the general. Then the general should be able to sort through his troops, divide them among skilled and unskilled.

Nine Grounds

                        According to the rule for military operations, there are nine kinds of                                     ground. Where local interests fight among themselves on their own                                     territory, this is called a ground of dissolution… Tzu, S.

            You must first understand which type of grounds you are on because it can depict what type of action you will need to take next. You have the ground of contention, this land is advantageous to you because you got it and advantageous to your enemy if they got it. A trafficked ground is land where you and other can come and go. Intersecting ground is land that is surrounded on three sides by competitors. When you enter deeply into others’ land, past many cities and towns, this is called heavy grounds. When you traverse mountain forests, steep defiles, marshes, or any route difficult to travel, this is called bad grounds. When the way is in narrow and the way out is circuitous, so a small enemy force can strike you, even thought your numbers are greater, this is called surrounded ground. When you will survive if you fight quickly and perish if you do not, this is called dying ground.

            Once you understand and assess your situation then you are able to quickly determine the course of action you will take. In any manner, time is a factor and acting quickly should be a priority.

Fire attack/On the use of Spies

            The use of both fire attack and the use of spies should be use sparingly. If not, then you risk the chance of being defeated by an error on the general’s part.

                        One cannot use spies without sagacity and knowledge, one cannot use                                     spies without humanity and justice, and one cannot get the truth from                                     spies without subtlety. This is a very delicate matter indeed. Spies are                                     useful everywhere… Tzu, S.

            In the strategy of using spies, you must account for the off chance that they will betray you in order to preserve themselves. If you cannot do without the information then you are placing yourself in harm’s way.

            One useful tactic would be the use of the enemies’ mistreated spies. They would have more incentives other than to further enrich themselves. Give a spy more than just riches and they will be able to provide more than just knowledge, they will be able to provide the key to victory.

The Video Lounge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwNdwpvjs0c&feature=related

1. In this clip, the businessman is talking about applying the strategies of Sun Tzu to help failing businesses.

2. It is clear, both of the failing businesses had let the other people capitalize on their ideas.

Personal Insights

–             Why I think the author is one of the most brilliant people around

            Sun Tzu’s The Art of War has been around for over two thousand years. It still encompasses many of the ideas and problems the current manager face today. Tzu’s mentality transcends his environment because he was able take any situation and give one’s self the advantage and the ability to be successful. Even in another one thousand year, Tzu’s work will still be applicable.

– With business conditions today, what the author wrote is because:

            Competition is becoming more widespread than ever. In business today, we are face with global competition at an exponential rate. The information era has given competitors the means of a cheap but powerful resource to gain advantages. We are currently seeing new and different ways, that competitors are using it to assess strategic plans.

Then, all of the following bullet-items are mandatory to write about:

If I were the author of the book, I would have done these three things differently:

1.            I would write in a more structure manner. Tzu’s style of writing has no definite meaning rather it meant for others to drawn their own conclusion.

2.            I would reference actual events in a more personal way.           

3.            I would had include my own introduction rather, I would let the reader know that it would be best to read both I Ching and Tao-te Ching first.

Reading this book made me think differently about the topic in these ways:

1.            A manager has much more to think about when it comes to mergers or acquisition.

2.            The people who will work for me in the future means a lot in order for me to be successful.

3.            After a takeover, it is best to keep a company intact rather than take it apart.

I’ll apply what I’ve learned in this book in my career by:

1.            Giving myself enough time before I commit to a takeover or acquisition.

2.            Plan thoroughly before I do anything because everything is decided in the war room rather than on the battlefield.

3.            Attain the formlessness in order to fool my competitors and exercise complete control.

Here is a sampling of what others have said about the book and its author:

Heartland Reviews

As a retired military intelligence professional and conflict theorist, I must say this is the best interpretation of Sun Tzu’s classic work I have read. The author focuses on the meanings behind this ancient Chinese war philosopher’s writings. He puts them into a modern context, making them easy to understand. Apparently the Department of Defense agrees with me on this, since they have selected Mr. Cantrell’s book as a text for the National War College in Washington DC. This is a must read for all military officers and business leaders. It rated a perfect five hearts.

Bob Spear

Publisher and Chief Reviewer for Heartland Reviews, Leavenworth, KS

Midwest Book Reviews (Reviewer’s Choice Selection)

Robert L. Cantrell’s Understanding Sun Tzu On The Art Of War contains both the complete translated text of Sun Tzu’s enduring classic on battle strategy, and a modern-day interpretation packed with advice on leadership, learning to keep one’s intentions a secret from one’s opponents, leveraging advantages as the key to victory, and a great deal more. An excellent resource for anyone seeking self-improvement through internalizing Sun Tzu’s wisdom, Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War is thoughtful and thought-provoking reading of the highest order.

  Sonshi.com, the largest online resource for The Art of War

Your book was extremely thorough in its explanation and presentation and is the standard on which all other analyses of Sun Tzu should be based.

            The many, different individuals who have read the Art of War has range from managers, military generals, kings, princes, your everyday entrepreneur. In the vastly change world of business today, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War has been to attain the formlessness. For over two thousand years, Tzu’s words have been able to translated and understood by countless people and it will still continue in the same fashion. We often think how did true leader do what they did thousands of year ago without the aid of technology, but we should think on how mimic them because one individual has survive through the ages without a wrinkle.

Bibliography

The Art of War. (2006).  Retrieved November 08, 2010 from Understanding the Art of War: http://www.artofwarsuntzu.com/.

Tzu, S. (1988). The Art of War. (T. Cleary, Trans.). Boston, Massachusetts: Shambhala.

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Contact Info: To contact the author of this “Summary and Review of The Art of War,” please email peter.hoang@selu.edu.

Biography

David C. Wyld (dwyld.kwu@gmail.com) is the Robert Maurin Professor of Management at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. He is a management consultant, researcher/writer, and executive educator. His blog, Wyld About Business, can be viewed at http://wyld-business.blogspot.com/. He also serves as the Director of the Reverse Auction Research Center (http://reverseauctionresearch.blogspot.com/), a hub of research and news in the expanding world of competitive bidding. Dr. Wyld also maintains compilations of works he has helped his students to turn into editorially-reviewed publications at the following sites:

Management Concepts (http://toptenmanagement.blogspot.com/)

Book Reviews (http://wyld-about-books.blogspot.com/) and

Travel and International Foods (http://wyld-about-food.blogspot.com/).                 

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