The Art of Strategy

Description

From politicians seeking re-election, to statespeople craving spheres of influence, to business executives, military generals and sports coaches, we all employ strategy in our day-to-day activities. Strategic treatises on the art of war, politics or leadership have a long history, including those by Thucydides, Xenophon, Kautilya, Machiavelli and Clausewitz; yet, while recent decades have seen the proliferation of books on business strategy, there has still been no single volume, ancient or modern, combining all strands of the human strategic experience—until now.

The Art of Strategy encapsulates and conveys the logic of strategy in easily accessible prose, and applies it to virtually every form of human endeavour. It builds upon the existing strategic wisdom produced by the great masters to present a holistic theory of strategy that is relevant to practice: a sprightly yet sober analysis of fifty maxims, drawing on examples from chess to psychology.

Platias and Koliopoulos offer the reader a guide to strategic behaviour in all areas of life, while at the same time building a comprehensive theory of victory. They provide a framework that helps the reader to understand the nature of strategy, to think strategically, and to act strategically—and successfully.

Reviews

‘The Art of Strategy arrives at precisely the right moment—when geopolitical fractures, technological disruption, and economic volatility demand clarity of thought over speed of reaction. Yet its fifty maxims, drawn from Thucydides to Clausewitz and tested across war, business and sport, carry the permanence of human nature itself. Platias and Koliopoulos have done something rare: made the timeless urgently practical. Essential reading for leaders navigating a world where strategy is no longer optional.’ — Punit Oza, Director of Maritime NXT, Singapore, and Senior Adjunct Fellow, MPA Academy Singapore

‘Strategy is a practical undertaking. If you cannot do it then it is mere vanity. Platias and Koliopoulos conjure up 50 maxims which perform three functions: they endure through time and different contexts, they allow the eternal challenges of friction to be confronted, and they are planned for a variety of situations that have not occurred and may not occur. I cannot recommend it enough.’ — Geoffrey Sloan, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Reading

‘Written by two brilliant academics, this book manages to condense into fifty maxims all the accumulated theory and experience of strategy. A valuable practical guide for strategic thought and action, illuminating in attractive prose even the subtlest aspects of strategy.’ — General Konstantinos Floros, former chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff

‘Brilliant, original and thought-provoking, an exciting vision for how strategy can be learned and practised. A must-read book for anyone considering leadership positions in their careers. It is sure to become the classic strategy text.’ — C. L. Max Nikias, President Emeritus, University of Southern California

‘The authors’ deep understanding of strategic subjects, their broad knowledge of the international environment and their educational experience are reflected in an accessible, clear but also theoretically informed way. Undoubtedly, The Art of Strategy can take its rightful place next to the classic strategic texts. Required reading.’ — Vice-Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos (retd.), former Greek national security advisor (2019–20)

‘A lucid and rigorous exploration of genuinely strategic thinking. Grounded in a comprehensive reading of historical writing on strategy, from Thucydides to Trotsky and beyond, it masterfully combines history and political science to craft theories of strategy with enormous practical relevance.’ — Andrew Novo, Professor of Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.

‘A major contribution to the general theory of strategy and essential reading for anyone interested in the subject. From politics to economics and from sports to war, the book offers a uniquely comprehensive analysis of how strategy applies to different fields of human activity. Its breadth and depth and the world-class quality of its authors will make it one of the most important strategy books for many years to come.’ — Yannis A. Stivachtis, Jean Monnet Chair in EU Strategy and Director of the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies, Virginia Tech

‘A highly ambitious undertaking. The result is a refreshing, well-considered, comprehensive yet succinct and superbly presented list of precepts for strategy and strategists of conflicts. A remarkable feat.’ — Ariel E. Levite, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and former Israeli deputy national security advisor for defense policy

‘Whether you have read Thucydides or not, The Art of Strategy lives up to its promise. For those mulling over personal decisions or closing a business deal, for those at war or negotiating peace, these two brilliant authors offer us their rich intellectual endeavours in a compelling and clearly written text. If you are going to buy one book on strategy, this is it.’ — Nikos Papandreou PhD, Member of the European Parliament

‘Α fascinating read, comprehensive and compelling. The authors situate strategy within a historical context while peppering the narrative with highly relevant examples. Scholarly interpretations and a paced sweep of history provide the colorful and richly woven backdrop for a series of important lessons for everyday life.’ — Adam Clayton Powell III, Executive Director, Election Cybersecurity Initiative, University of Southern California

‘Platias and Koliopoulos are renowned experts in Strategic Studies. In this accessible book, they propose a general theory of strategy—the art of coupling means and ends. Unpacked in fifty maxims, this is a must-read primer for all those that want to learn more about human strategic behaviour.’ — Harris Mylonas, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University, and author of The Politics of Nation-Building

‘Simply a tour de force. In lucid prose, Platias and Koliopoulos introduce grounded analysis about the theory and application of strategy across social domains. This masterful book should be core curriculum not only in military academies but in business and public policy schools alike.’ — Vasilis Trigkas, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs, Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University

‘Platias and Koliopoulos have a gift for explication. They digest the principles of strategy and present them as maxims in a lively and entertaining form. An accessible and invaluable book not just for students of war and peace, but also for everyone who operates in a world where competition, conflict and negotiation come into play.’ — Paul A. Rahe, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage, Hillsdale College

Author(s)

Athanasios Platias is Professor of Strategy at the University of Piraeus, the President of the Council for International Relations, Greece, and a coordinator at the Mackinder Forum. He has been a Ford Foundation fellow at Harvard University, a research fellow at Cornell University, and a MacArthur fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Constantinos Koliopoulos is Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies at the University of Piraeus, and a former Fulbright scholar. He has been a professor in Strategic Studies at the Hellenic National Defence College, and a master of the Greek Chess Federation.