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.

Text: English (translation) Original Language: Chinese

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.

This work offers translations of the material in Mao's 20 volumes, and also gives translations of other materials released in Beijing in 1993 on the occasion of Mao's centenary. The book opens with Mao's conversion to Marxism and to the Soviet model of proletarian dictatorship.

The first documented, systematic study of guerrilla warfare, this 1937 text remains the definitive guide. Based on Mao's own experiences and his interpretations of the classic strategies of Sun-tzu, it concisely explains why guerrilla activities should be integrated into conventional military activities and discusses the organization and operation of guerrilla units.

These quotations from the writings and speeches of Mao Tse-tung, the father of Chinese communism, offer a rare and penetrating insight into the political and philosophic thought of one of the most hated and revered men to ever have lived. This is a classic text in the politics of revolutionary socialism and propaganda. Note: Publication of this document does NOT constitute an endorsement by the publisher of all of its contents.

This is a new release of the original 1954 edition.

On Guerrilla Warfare by legendary revolutionist Mao Tse-tung is widely considered to be one of the greatest books of all time amongst revolutionaries. This book will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, On Guerrilla Warfare is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading literature on warfare, terrorism, revolutions, and the like, this book by Mao Tse-tung is highly recommended. Published by Classic House Books and beautifully produced, On Guerrilla Warfare should be considered for inclusion into everyone's personal library.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Reprinted From The China Digest, V5, Number 9, 10, 11, February-March, 1949.