+1: This one has great contributions, including the well-known quote "War is a continuation of politics by other means". Some things that are very relevant and not in Sun Tzu:
- Importance of reserves: troops that enter fight instantly become an order of magnitude more complicated to manoeuver. Thus it's important to keep ~half your forces in reserve. This one was forgotten by French general Gamelin at the beginning of WWII => thus when the German attack through Sedan pierced the French front unexpectedly fast, only weak troops were left to stop them in front of Paris.
- How to use terrain to your advantage: for instance put non-crossable obstacles behind you, or difficult terrains / slopes in front of you so that enemies waste effort and organization in crossing through while your troops are rested waiting for them when they emerge.
- How to place troops in classical battles: why cavalry often goes on the sides.
- Importance of pre and post-battle actions, for instance pursuit after routing the enemy.
