The Tao Of Spycraft: Intelligence Theory And Practice In Traditional China

by Ralph D. Sawyer

In The Tao of Spycraft , for the first time anywhere Ralph Sawyer unfolds the long and venerable tradition of spycraft and intelligence work in traditional China, revealing a vast array of theoretical materials and astounding historical developments. Encompassing extensive translations of relevant portions of theoretical military manuals previously unknown in the West (such as the T'ai-pai Yin-ching, Hu-ling Ching, and Ping-fa Pai-yen ), the book spans centuries to trace the development and expansion of agent concepts, insertion and control methods, recruitment, and covert practices such as assassination, subversion, and sexual entrapment and exploitation, going on to explore counter-intelligence and all aspects of military intelligence, including objectives, analysis and interpretation.But The Tao of Spycraft is more than an examination of military tactics, it also provides a thorough overview of the history of spies in China, emphasizing their early development, ruthless employment, and dramatic success in subverting famous generals, dooming states to extinction, and facilitating the rise of the first imperial dynasty known as the Ch'in. The cases discussed-particularly those exploiting women and sex-not only became part of China's general mindset over the ages, but coupled with the theoretical writings remain the basis for the study and teaching of contemporary spycraft methods and practices as the PRC trains and aggressively deploys thousands of agents throughout the world, including the United States.

Genres: History, China, Espionage

640 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is more philosophy about ancient China than spycraft. Spycraft constitutes a third of the book. The text is based upon a collection of seven ancient texts. Sawyer does an excellent job in discussing the philosophies and includes many relevant examples.

Towards the middle of the book is an excellent section on analyzing people. I enjoyed the way the ancient authors advised their rulers to question/test people for different qualities and different positions.

The last section of the book pertains to topography and the physical environment. This is the most difficult section for someone who is not well versed in Eastern Philosophy to understand. There are many different concepts for things like Chi and the 100 armies that make little sense to Westerners and Sawyer is not clear in reinforcing a definition for these concepts. He does try to describe Chi; but something is lost in the translation as the ancient authors clearly devoted considerable thought to it.