Strategy

Mao starts off the book by critiquing the “defeatist exponents of the theory of national subjugation”.[3] He argues that because of the creation of the Second United Front and national “perseverance” the Japanese have failed to achieve a victory through mobile warfare and that China was now engaged in a “protracted war”.[3] Afterwards, Mao criticizes the proponents of “China’s quick victory” stating that they were underestimating the enemy.[4] He expresses his dislike of armchair generals who assume that Guerrilla warfare holds a supplementary role to mobile warfare.[5] Mao laments that their hopes consisted chiefly of a victory through foreign military intervention by the Soviet Union or victory through a decisive military solution.[5]