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"The Art of Office War is your codex of strategy" - Samuel Z Jones, May 2007, London

For every era of human history, a book entitled ‘The Art of War’ has appeared, as if the mere title were a recurring myth in the human mind. The most famous is Sun Tzu’s Art of War, considered the masterwork of the genre and the blueprint for all other Arts of War; less well known is the Art of War by Niccolo Machiavelli, a much maligned contemporary of the Borgias.

The Office Art of War is a fit addition to the ranks of such books, replete with quotations from great generals, military strategists, politicians and the authors of past Arts of War, naturally including Machiavelli and the earlier Sun Tzu. This is not so much a guide through the terrain of the modern office as an SAS Survival Guide for the professional jungle. This book lists the dangers and hazards of the office; how to recognise the various power plays and betrayals that are a daily feature; the real motivations behind boot-licking, childish antics and macho posturing, and how best to respond when confronted with these professional plagues. Like a good martial arts manual, The Art of Office War also explains how to use these same Dark Side teachings for your own advantage.

Delicate readers may be distressed to discover that this book is not Politically Correct; like the writings of Machiavelli, The Art of Office War is concerned not with how people should behave but with what they actually do: people resort to low tactics in all walks of life, especially the office. Arm yourself with the knowledge to pre-empt any catastrophe that your colleagues may be brewing to poison your career, and seriously consider laying your own malicious schemes well in advance; The Art of Office War is your codex of strategy.

Samuel Z Jones is a prolific Fantasy writer. Visit his website for more information.

"Sun-Tzu meets David Brent" - Zach Everson, 7th February 2007, Washington, DC

In "The Art of Office War," Simon Drake combines the teachings of Sun-Tzu with the environment of "The Office." The result is a hilarious satire about what it takes to get ahead in the cubicle-lined battlefields of the 21st century.
"The Art of Office War" is both insightful and funny. "Everyone has their price, and if you don't believe it just look at your pay cheque." Yeah, that line hurt to read.
I'm a sole proprietor, but having read "The Art of Office War" I almost want to work in an office so I can test Simon Drake's advice. Almost.

"... a must for anyone wishing to better understand how to survive, get ahead, or just plain live the "I no longer give a fuck, where's my pay cheque" life in this battlefield." - Rohan Smith, June 2007, Australia

Finally, a book has arrived that gives us insight and understanding into the artificial world of neon lights, superficial hierarchy and partitions that look like they were designed on cat vomit that so many of us seem condemned to live out the majority of our daylight hours in. That's right, the office environment now comes with a survival guide. Drake masterfully lays out for the reader the characters that he/she will encounter in this strange land, the attacks that will be thrown your way, the motivation behind the enemy's action and valuable strategic insights to help one navigate this strange 20th century creation called, "The Office". After reading this book I am now able to identify who in my office are the "Ambitious Fuckers", who are the "Cannon Fodder" and who actually matter. Drake beautifully imparts wisdom from the ages with quotes from Napoleon through to Dante, this book is a must for anyone wishing to better understand how to survive, get ahead, or just plain live the "I no longer give a fuck, where's my pay cheque" life in this battlefield. 

"...concise and can be read as an interesting narrative or as a tool..." Loch Pollard, Author / Travel Writer, 7th November 2006

 The Art of Office War is a humorous account of the office environment. Drake’s evidence of having worked within both the corporate and public arenas is clear. His metaphor of the office as a battlefield is pinpoint accurate, and the chapter headings are reminiscent of an Army Officer’s handbook.
So as not to be sued by his ex-colleagues, Drake uses few real life examples and instead focuses on intelligent categorization and definitions of the roles that people fill within the office environment. The book is concise and can be read as an interesting narrative or as a tool for the reader when they are caught up in the political environment of their workplace.

"This book will confirm your worst and most paranoid thoughts about your office." - Miss D, January 2007

 I sat here at work reading this book in the post Christmas holiday lull and I can't stop laughing.  I read the book when it first came out but the more you read, and the longer you work in offices, the funnier it gets!  Drake has some classic quotes on Permanent Staff vs. Temps like "...temporary staff are paid by the hour to do the work the permanents have learnt to tactfully and lazily avoid", and on dealing with the office drones, "The meek may inherit the earth… but until then use them as a buffer, a cushion and a net". This book will confirm your worst and most paranoid thoughts about your office.  If you have no paranoid thoughts, and don't work in an office, it will give you an opportunity to laugh at those of us who do. Either way it's reassuringly funny and well worth a read.  Only the very brave/disillusoned will use this as a manual for success, and it would be hilarious watching them climb the corporate ladder on the back of it!

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