The Art of War [Abridged] [Hardcover]

Sun Tzu (Author), Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590307437 | ISBN-13: 978-1590307434 | Publication Date: October 13, 2009 | Edition: Har/Com

Compiled more than two thousand years ago, the Art of War is still perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world today. A study of the anatomy of forces in conflict, it has been discovered by modern business people, who understand the principles it contains are as useful for understanding the interactions of modern corporations as they are for understanding the tactics of ancient Chinese armies. This illustrated edition includes two audio CDs read by Lloyd James.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thomas Cleary's translation of Sun Tzu's 2,000-year-old Art of War makes immediately relevant one of the greatest Chinese classical texts. There's not a dated maxim or vague prescription in it. ‘To win without fighting is best,’ Sun Tzu said. For him, war was coeval with life. Absorb this book, and you can throw out all those contemporary books about management leadership.”—Newsweek

"This volume of ancient Chinese wisdom is consistently rated higher than most modern leadership books.”—Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; Har/Com edition (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590307437
• ISBN-13: 978-1590307434
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.8 x 6.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > History > Military > Strategy
  • #58 in Books > History > Military Science

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 142 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Translation of a Classic, March 1, 2006

By 

Scott R. Dukart (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of War (Mass Market Paperback)

The Art of War seems to be a classic piece of Chinese philosophy that is easy to translate into a mediocre work. I've read a number of translations of Sun Tzu that are clunky and have none of the wit of the original text. Now, I don't read ancient Chinese, but when a Chinese philisophical text reads like a manual for a microwave, you know something is lost in translation.

On the other hand, this translation, done by Thomas Cleary, showed me the subtlety in the Art of War. In addition to the work itself (which would make a very thin book) there is a long, interesting introduction written by the translator which I found very helpful in thinking about the Art of War, as well as helping to put the work in both a historical context, and the context amongst many of the other ancient Chinese philisophical works. How Sun Tzu's work relates to Taoism is very interesting. Also, there are selected commentation on each of the paragraphs of the Art of War. These commentaries were written over different periods of time by different Chinese philosophers. These help to show how many different points of view can exist over a single statement made by Sun Tzu.

I find this translation very well done, and I can easily recommend it to anyone who wants to read The Art of War.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate translation and extensive commentary, April 17, 2003

By 

Sonshi.com "sonshi" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Art of War (Hardcover)

Retired Professor John Minford is only a handful of people who truly understand the essence of the Art of War: "It is beautiful and chilling." He has been a translator and teacher of the Chinese language since 1977, and had chaired the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Department of Asian Languages at the University of Auckland.

Dr. Minford's translation is extremely concise yet complete -- much to our pleasant surprise -- and is truer to the original Chinese format than all previously published Sun Tzu versions. Our analysis shows great care was given to rendering each and every word. Incorporating the conventionally accepted text, Shiyijia zhu Sunzi, along with commentary from various ancient and modern sources, his book is perfect for someone who wants both an accurate translation and an extensive explanation of its many concepts and principles. The book is broken out into two major parts: the first part presents the core text unadorned, and the second part has the same text with well-selected commentary.

Just when we thought a new Sun Tzu the Art of War translation is not needed, John Minford's masterful work proved us wrong. Indeed, we are certain the value of his Art of War will only increase over time. Sonshi.com.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic on the priciples of war, May 4, 2008

By 

Steve Burns (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Art of War (Mass Market Paperback)

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.