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'One of the most influential documents of our time, Mao Tse-tung's pamphlet on guerrilla warfare has become the basic textbook for waging revolution in underdeveloped and emergent areas throughout the world. Recognizing the fundamental disparity between agrarian and urban societies, Mao advocated unorthodox strategies that converted deficits into advantages: using intelligence provided by the sympathetic peasant population; substituting deception, mobility, and surprise for superior firepower; using retreat as an offensive move; and educating the inhabitants on the ideological basis of the struggle.This radical new approach to warfare, waged in jungles and mountains by mobile guerrilla bands closely supported by local inhabitants, has been adopted by other revolutionary leaders from Ho Chi Minh to Che Guevara. Mao wrote On Guerrilla Warfare in 1937 while in retreat after ten years of battling the Nationalist army of Chiang Kai-shek. Twelve years later, the Nationalist Chinese were rousted from the mainland, and Mao consolidated his control of a new nation, having put his theories of revolutionary guerrilla warfare to the test. Established governments have slowly come to recognize the need to understand and devise means to counter this new method of warfare. Samuel B. Griffith's classic translation makes Mao's treatise widely available and includes a comprehensive introduction that profiles Mao, analyzes the nature and conduct of guerrilla warfare, and considers its implications for American policy'.
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IN A WAR OF REVOLUTIONARY CHARACTER, guerrilla operations are a necessary part. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
IN A WAR OF REVOLUTIONARY CHARACTER, guerrilla operations are a necessary part. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book was written by Mao Zedong (1893-1976) in 1937, as he was waging a guerrilla war against the occupying army of Imperial Japan. Having already had ten years guerrilla experience, Mao was already an expert, and in this book he beautifully explains his basic strategy and tactics. He covers everything from why guerrilla activities should be integrated with conventional military activity, how guerrilla units should be organized, and how they should operate.
When I first picked up this slim book, I must admit that I wasn't expecting too much. Indeed, Mao's stress on guerrilla activity as part of a larger conventional war struck me as somewhat limiting. But, as I read, I got to see the beauty and simplicity of what he was describing.
Is it hyperbole to say that this book should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in guerrilla warfare - past and present? I think not. This is a great work on the subject, and should rightly be considered a military classic. I highly - indeed, very highly - recommend this book!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is written in the context of China's guerrilla war against Japanese occupiers; this conflict is mentioned often by Mao.
In this book Mao discusses the differences between guerrilla and `orthodox' military forces, as well as how such forces can work together for a common goal. Other topics covered include propaganda and political concerns, the formation of guerrilla units, the qualities of a good guerrilla officer, discipline in a guerrilla army, and guerrilla bases.
Not easy reading this one but it is a short book and therein lies one of its strengths. It's punchy, concise and essential reading.
Not all of the lessons are appropriate for the war nowadays but there is enough in there to make it worth an afternoon of note-taking.
In this book Mao discusses the differences between guerrilla and `orthodox' military forces, as well as how such forces can work together for a common goal. Other topics covered include propaganda and political concerns, the formation of guerrilla units, the qualities of a good guerrilla officer, discipline in a guerrilla army, and guerrilla bases.
Not easy reading this one but it is a short book and therein lies one of its strengths. It's punchy, concise and essential reading.
Not all of the lessons are appropriate for the war nowadays but there is enough in there to make it worth an afternoon of note-taking.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was surprised at Mao's lucidity and lack of political indoctrination present in the volume. It is simply a decent analysis of guerilla warfare and the introduction by the translator (mine was a reprint of the original US translation from 1961, so pre-Vietnam war) was quite insightful and provided a glimpse of the state of debate on the topic back then.
Th book is neither a political propagada piece, nor a detailed tactical manual (although some elements of the latter, such as unit sizes, organisation etc. are present) but provides a simple and relatively timeless framework for dealing with a much stronger enemy, be that in military or civilian pursuits.
While not as good a read as some of Che's writing (such as An African Dream: the Diaries of the Revolutionary in the Congo (Panther)), or von Lettow Vorbeck (My Reminiscences of East Africa 2004), it deserves to be read for the massive significance that the book had on world events in the second half of the 20th century.
Th book is neither a political propagada piece, nor a detailed tactical manual (although some elements of the latter, such as unit sizes, organisation etc. are present) but provides a simple and relatively timeless framework for dealing with a much stronger enemy, be that in military or civilian pursuits.
While not as good a read as some of Che's writing (such as An African Dream: the Diaries of the Revolutionary in the Congo (Panther)), or von Lettow Vorbeck (My Reminiscences of East Africa 2004), it deserves to be read for the massive significance that the book had on world events in the second half of the 20th century.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mao
In the light of day this book gives you some idea of just how good Mao was and the great struggle the Chinese people went through to throw of there oppressors
Published 1 month ago by R. Laycock
Recommended reading for all victims of oppression
After reading this book more than once, one can only say that Mao Tse Tung, in relation to his theories on military strategy and guerrilla warfare, is nothing short than a military... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Giovanni
Surprisingly practical guide to revolution
This book describes the tactics and strategy of guerilla warfare, with a focus on the Chinese war against Japan. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Dazdya
Old Mao
To be expected but anyway a bit of recent history that could help many Afgan "specialists".
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by Jose G. Almeida
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