Art of Strategy

Drawing on examples from sport, diplomacy, business and more, the authors explore how strategic thinking can guide clear- sighted decision-making.

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.

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. Constantinos Koliopoulos is Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies at the University of Piraeus, and a former Fulbright scholar.