The writings of the ancient warrior Sun Tzu have provided tremendous wisdom to generations through the ages. Now these philosophies are available with anecdotal extracts by the author of Shogun and Noble House.
The Art of War (Oxford University Press)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The Art of War is among the greatest classics of military literature ever written. Sun Tzu warfare is as applicable today as when the book was written some 2,500 years ago....Pick up The Art of War and read it."--General A.M. Gray, Marine Corps Gazette
"As a reflection of the Chinese mind, this little work is as relevant as any Confucian classic."--The Times (London)
"Westerners have dozens of books to choose from if they want to learn about Japanese philosophy and military tactics....But when the Japanese, especially those in business, want information on the subject, many turn to an ancient Chinese, not Japanese, military manual, The Art of War....Shows managers how to be fearless in resolving conflicts."--Boardroom Reports
"Shows managers how to be fearless in resolving conflicts."--Boardroom Reports
"A brief tract on strategy that has been admired in China for centuries. Some of Mao Tse Tung's most eloquent thoughts are merely rehashes of Sun Tzu and his interpreters."--The Los Angeles Herald Examiner
"Samuel Griffith's original and scholarly translation of The Art of War shows how good scholarship can make an easily readable translation that is much more useful to modern readers."--The Philadelphia Inquirer
"I find this book to be an excellent complement to a traditional text. It illustrates key strategic concepts from an alternative perspective. Specifically, it effectively addresses: planning in a dynamic environment, importance of leadership and harmonious relations with subordinates, efficient use of resources, importance of internal and external assessments and decision making - ethics, reception, timliness, decision quality, etc."--Jeff Trailer, University of Houston --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
"As a reflection of the Chinese mind, this little work is as relevant as any Confucian classic."--The Times (London)
"Westerners have dozens of books to choose from if they want to learn about Japanese philosophy and military tactics....But when the Japanese, especially those in business, want information on the subject, many turn to an ancient Chinese, not Japanese, military manual, The Art of War....Shows managers how to be fearless in resolving conflicts."--Boardroom Reports
"Shows managers how to be fearless in resolving conflicts."--Boardroom Reports
"A brief tract on strategy that has been admired in China for centuries. Some of Mao Tse Tung's most eloquent thoughts are merely rehashes of Sun Tzu and his interpreters."--The Los Angeles Herald Examiner
"Samuel Griffith's original and scholarly translation of The Art of War shows how good scholarship can make an easily readable translation that is much more useful to modern readers."--The Philadelphia Inquirer
"I find this book to be an excellent complement to a traditional text. It illustrates key strategic concepts from an alternative perspective. Specifically, it effectively addresses: planning in a dynamic environment, importance of leadership and harmonious relations with subordinates, efficient use of resources, importance of internal and external assessments and decision making - ethics, reception, timliness, decision quality, etc."--Jeff Trailer, University of Houston --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
About the Author
The late Samuel B. Griffith is the author of The Battle for Guadalcanal and the editor and translator of Mao Tse-tung: "On Guerilla War".
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Broadening Your Perspective,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Art of War (Paperback)
War is not really based on honor... or glory, or even whose right. It's all about conditions, who has the advantage and how to dishearten your opponents while making sure your own resources are protected. It tells you what to look for through hundreds of various quotes and snippets of advice. This book was not entirely by Sun Tzu, but a collection of famous tacticians through-out history. Each seem to add another element to the concept of how to win in conflict. In life, you can see a little of this in each day... but just remember not too get too carried away. After all, even Sun Tzu himself said 'A battle not fought, is a battle won.' For broadening your perspective, I'd suggest adding this book to your collection as well as 'Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom' by Taro Gold.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Timeless Beauty of War,
By
This review is from: The Art of War (Paperback)
War is ugly, dirty, brutal, wasteful and expensive. That is the reality of it. Let's not pretend otherwise.Having said that, the ancient Chinese master strips away all the familiar trappings of war - the warriors, weapons, forts and tactics - to reveal the essence of conflict and how to win. His lessons are as valid here and now as they were in an empire a long time ago and far, far away. It simply does not matter how you are fighting, what you are fighting over nor even why you are fighting. If you are forced into conflict with another, the lessons in this book will guarantee victory. Brute strength, overwhelming force, super weapons, holding the high ground, none of these are required for victory. All that is needed is a leader who can understand and apply the principles of warfare. Essentially it boils down to three ideas. Do this, and you will win competitions, elections, games. Anything that involves conflict. Even wars. Sun Tzu's elegant language lays bare the principles of warfare, illustrating his lessons with examples from Ancient China. It is a thought-provoking, colourful and valuable book.
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A clear and useful translation,
By Craig MACKINNON (Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Art of War (Paperback)
The Art of War is a military classic, written around 400 BC. However, because the maxims contained in the book are so succinct and universal, this is still a useful book for understanding and waging war today. The central themes are to attack where the enemy is weak, deceive the enemy into attacking you on your terms (not his), and the use of espionage to confuse the enemy while gathering information for your own use.This book is a classical, scholarly translation. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the translation, as I do not read Chinese. However, the translator sprinkles the text with footnotes to explain why he has chosen certain phrases that do not directly translate, and offers alternative explanations from other translators. Therefore, you get a good feel for what Sun Tzu originally meant, especially through the critical inclusion of selected commentaries. In addition, there is an introduction by the author on the history and background of the text, which are useful. There are also some comments on the influence the text has had, especially on Mao Tse-tung and on the Imperial Japanese forces through World War II. Therefore, I certainly recommend this translation for a first-time reader such as myself.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
OVER the centuries countless Chinese critics have devoted a great deal of attention to examination of literary works ascribed to the `classical' period, an era usually defined as extending from 551 B.C., the probable birth year of Confucius, to 249 B.C., when King Chao of Ch'in liquidated the Chou dynasty. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
martial classics, employing troops, military classics, thirteen chapters, wise general, enemy situation, one detachment, death ground Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sun Tzu, Ts'ao Ts'ao, Sun Pin, Mei Yao-ch'en, Wang Hsi, Chia Lin, T'ien Chi, Chu-ko Liang, Han Hsin, T'ien Tan, Ch'en Hao, Hegemonic King, Hsiao Hsieh, Huang-fu Wen, Kao Chun, Sun Hsing-yen, Therefore Master Wang, Tsang Kung, Yuan Shao New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
OVER the centuries countless Chinese critics have devoted a great deal of attention to examination of literary works ascribed to the `classical' period, an era usually defined as extending from 551 B.C., the probable birth year of Confucius, to 249 B.C., when King Chao of Ch'in liquidated the Chou dynasty. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
martial classics, employing troops, military classics, thirteen chapters, wise general, enemy situation, one detachment, death ground Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Sun Tzu, Ts'ao Ts'ao, Sun Pin, Mei Yao-ch'en, Wang Hsi, Chia Lin, T'ien Chi, Chu-ko Liang, Han Hsin, T'ien Tan, Ch'en Hao, Hegemonic King, Hsiao Hsieh, Huang-fu Wen, Kao Chun, Sun Hsing-yen, Therefore Master Wang, Tsang Kung, Yuan Shao New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 23
books:
See all 23 books this book cites
100
books
cite this book:
See all 100 books citing this book
- Selected Works on 5 pages
- A History of Chinese Philosophy (2 Volume Set) by Yu-Lan Feng on 4 pages
- The Art of War (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (B&N Classics) by Sun Tzu in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Art of War (Asiapac Comic Series) by Chih Tsai Chung in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- A History of Japan (Three Volumes) (Tut books) by George Bailey Sansom in Front Matter, and Back Matter
See all 23 books this book cites
- The Tao of Deception: Unorthodox Warfare in Historic and Modern China by Ralph D. Sawyer on 66 pages
- Leadership: Quotations From The World's Greatest Motivators by Robert A. Fitton on 17 pages
- The Way of the Champion: Lessons from Sun Tzu's The art of War and other Tao Wisdom for Sports & life by Jerry Lynch Ph.D. on 15 pages
- The Tao Of War by Wang Chen on 10 pages
- Masters of War: Classical Strategic Thought by Michael I. Handel on 6 pages
See all 100 books citing this book
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