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The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition

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Sun Tzu's great classic work has been read, re-read and appreciated in China and the East for about 2,500 years. Even today, major Japanese corporations are said to require their executives to be intimately familiar with "The Art of War" for its value as a source of strategy. Napoleon was said to have been influenced by this book - as was Karl von Clausewitz and most modern day military planners around the world.

For an ancient work to have had and still have such a following is ample evidence of its importance. Its current day applications range from military strategy to business philosophy to sales training to computer games. More important than the information contained in "The Art of War" is the logical mindset, the rational point of view that Sun Tzu presents, that contributes to the timelessness of the great book.

Of the numerous editions of "The Art of War" that are available, this Special Edition that contains the Chinese characters, an uncommented English translation, and the full Giles translation with an introduction and annotation is undoubtedly the pick of the litter. It has been said of the Giles translation that it is "somewhat dated". The same could be said of Sun Tzu's great classic itself. Yet it stands, unequaled.

This particular edition of Sun Tzu's Art of War is really excellent. It contains three separate copies of Sun Tzu's book:
1. The original Chinese text (in modern simplified Chinese characters),
2. A facing version of Lionel Giles' superb translation into English (without notes or comments) and
3. The complete Giles Translation with an extensive introduction and notes throughout the text that provides detailed insight into the meaning and intentions of the text.

Of all the versions of Sun Tzu's book on the market, this one is undoubtedly the best. The scholarship and detail to attention of this edition pays the respect and gives the credit to the great work that it deserves. Other, abbreviated, versions of Sun Tzu's book have their place, but not for those who actually want to understand the lessons of history that have been passed down through the centuries. The meaning of the text, after 25 centuries, requires the perspective of an oriental scholar with Giles' credentials. It is unlikely that the bare English translation, without notes or commentary, can convey to a modern reader the real meaning and intentions of a 2,000 year old Chinese genius.

Lionel Giles's translation is the gold standard for Sun Tzu. His deep understanding of ancient Chinese culture and his own roots in Western culture gave him a unique opportunity to bridge the gap and present native English speakers the opportunity to really understand and appreciate the mindset of this voice from antiquity.

This edition does NOT contain a CD. In spite of the masterful use of the English language by Lionel Giles, the Art of War is not poetry and probably doesn't benefit from oral recitation. This particular edition is THE BOOK for those whose native language is English... and who know how to read.

Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is truly one of the great military classics of all time. Although it is over 2000 years old, virtually all modern military academies consider it to be a cornerstone of the Military Science curriculum. Sun Tzu's attitude toward war, as an expensive and unfortunate necessity that needs to be dealt with in a rational manner, is presented from the outset and it establishes the basis for his lessons.

His steps in logical progression through the essential elements: motivation, logistics, strategy, tactics and intelligence are, of course, dated. The most important element is the value of applying intelligent, rational consideration to develop the most effective course of action given the circumstances at hand.

The number of absolutely essential books on warfare can probably be counted on one hand. This one is number one.

The Giles translation by itself is excellent, but by having an effective three versions in one (the original chinese, the translation without notes, and the translation with notes) this edition stands above the rest. Also, a historical section was a great addition.

This Special Edition version of "The Art of War" is by far the best version available. The versions that sell for $4.95 are stripped down translations that merely present a sketchy picture of what Sun Tzu really had to say. Unless you are an expert on ancient Chinese culture, the plain vanilla versions are next to worthless to you.

There is no doubt that Lionel Giles was an expert in Oriental Literature. His judicious selection of comments by various Chinese writers clearly demonstrates his scholarship. He always presents the "best evidence" for each critical point that requires clarification.

About the only way you might improve on the understanding that Giles passes on to English speaking readers would be to learn to read Chinese, become an expert in ancient Chinese culture and read Sun Tzu in Chinese; which just happens to be included in this Special Edition.

The combination of the full Giles translation of Sun Tzu's famous treatise with a simple direct translation makes this edition really special. This particular edition has my highest recommendation. It fills several needs by providing the Chinese Text with a direct English translation together with the fully commented translation.

After you have read the full version with all of the comments and notes, you can really appreciate the rational simplicity of Sun Tzu's thirteen chapters. Without the background that the full translation provides, most of what Sun Tzu has to say can be easily misinterpreted and applied to all manner of activities. Having access immediate access to Giles' comments and notes, without having to be burdened by it when you just want to concentrate on what Sun Tzu had to say, makes this particular edition worth every penny.

Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is the first known treatise on how to wage war in a professional manner. This little book was written some 2,500 years ago and has been considered to be the seminal work on warfare by nearly every military expert in the world since it became known to Western Civilization.

Sun Tzu pointed out that war is a terrible thing which should be avoided, if at all possible, but, when unavoidable should be carried out so as to minimize the destruction. He was the first to advocate that war should not be undertaken for trivial reasons and that it should be conducted by professionals who know how to do it right - who understand that no one gains from unnecessary death and destruction.

The minute details of his advice are no more directly applicable to modern military circumstances; or to other areas such as business, advertising or sports; than are those from other classic masterpieces of literature from ancient times. The value of this little book is in the philosophy, reason and intelligence it displays and promotes, not in the specifics that were applicable 2,500 years ago.

Sun Tzu's view that those who do not understand the gravity of war, who do not understand the necessity of a clear purpose and for specific goals to be achieved by military action, who do not understand the importance of discipline and effective leadership, etc... will surely come to grief is as true today as it has been throughout the history of the world.

This is merely one of the greatest books that has ever been written. It is an appeal for reason and rational behavior, even when conducting something as inherently irrational as war. Its lessons are monumentally important even if they are occasionally misunderstood and misapplied by those of limited intelligence.

Giles's translation of Sun Tzu is still the best, in spite of the best recent efforts. This particular "Special Edition" gives you two copies of Giles' excellent translation - with and without the embedded notes - a real plus. It allows you to commune with Sun Tzu's great book on more than one level.

It is amazing how timeless Sun Tzu's thinking is/was. His rational thought makes this ancient classic applicable to many areas. Military types consider it to be a foundation stone of Military Science. When they actually read it, Pacifists are usually surprised to find that Sun Tzu considered avoiding conflict the ultimate expression of military skill. Business types re-discover it from time to time and occasionally draw inferences that stretch credulity, but then, that's what really great literature does: it allows you to see threads of connection across disparate time and space.

It is probable that in another 2,500 years, Sun Tzu will still be relevant and topical. New translations will be required as our language changes, but for the present, this translation is still the best.

This ancient classic of 13 chapters was written over 2,500 years ago by the legendary Chinese general Sun Tzu. It is a must have for military buffs that enjoy reading about the tactics of the most succesful generals. It is rumored that Napoleon used a French translation of the Art of War to his advantage while conquering most of Europe, and he lost when he broke its principles.
The principles that are with in this ancient text can also be used in games of strategy, business conflicts, and the day to day battles of life.
Here are ten principles to give you a sample of the wisdom found in its pages:

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance with out fighting.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

Spies are the most important element in war, because upon them depends an army's ability to move.

All warfare is based on deception.

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations before the battle is fought.

There is no instance of a country having benefited from a prolonged war.

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals.

In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. (So they can retreat).

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained, fight not unless the position is critical.

Taken as a whole this is a book of wisdom and principles on how to win. I rank it in my top ten books I have ever read. It is a must have for any home library. The is a very small book that is quick and easy to read.

Have three versions of this book and found this version to be the most interesting, precise and easily understood of them all.