The Authentic Swing

As with many things, my relationship to this book is complicated at best. Over the course of a few of his books on literary theory, Pressfield's voice grinds consistently in that ‘aw-shucks' gear which I associate with the 1940's or 50‘s. But the problem is greater than just tone. At heart, is a philosophy. Actually two. And here is where the complications arise.

From the book, about 16% of the way in:

The Gita is not like the Old or New Testament or any Buddhist or Confucian or Native American scripture I have read. It advocates killing. “Slay the enemy without mercy,” Krishna instructs the great warrior Arjuna. “You will not be killing them, for I have slain them all already.”

A master of the art of war has said, ‘I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.' This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy.There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. To do that is near losing (the gentleness) which is so precious. Thus it is that when opposing weapons are (actually) crossed, he who deplores (the situation) conquers.

Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to employ them.[...]He who has killed multitudes of men should weep for them with the bitterest grief; and the victor in battle has his place (rightly) according to those rites.

Wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up. In the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years.