An excerpt from Martin van Creveld's The Art of War, a comprehensive survey of military thought throughout history. The excerpt examines the evolution of military theory and practice, from ancient Chinese strategists like Sun Tzu to modern thinkers grappling with nuclear strategy and guerrilla warfare. It explores key figures and their contributions, highlighting differences between Western and Eastern approaches to warfare. The book covers various periods and styles of combat, including naval warfare, siege warfare, and the impact of technological advancements. Finally, the text includes a chronology of significant historical military events and a list of further reading.