Customer Reviews

The Complete Art Of War: Sun Tzu/sun Pin (History & Warfare)

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Sun Tzu collected his teachings into the ancient Chinese treatise on military strategy known as "The Art of War" about twenty-five hundred years ago. Afterward his teachings were passed down through the Sun family, or a group of disciples, who edited or expounded upon the original writings until they assumed their current form. Sun Pin was the great-grandson of Sun Tzu, and he used the teachings of his brilliant ancestor to develop his Treatise "Military Methods". This wonderful translation by Ralph D. Sawyer includes both of these ancient texts.

"The Art of War" has been studied the world over by military, political and business leaders seeking to understand the nature of human conflict in all it's forms. Although thousands of years old, the teachings of Sun Tzu remain relevant even today. The maxims of Sun Tzu have been applied by students of "The Art of War" to such modern conflicts as the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Sun Tzu's teachings range from the seemingly simple, such as "Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance the army", to the more complex and thought provoking, such as "In order await the disordered. In tranquility await the clamorous. This is the way to control the mind." The manual covers such diverse topics as training, supplies, terrain, the seasons and the use of spys, and includes detailed commentary by China's greatest military leaders through the centuries.

"The Art of War" should be read by anyone who studies military history or strategy, and is part of the curriculum of many of the world's military academies. Studying the teachings of Sun Tzu can help you to form strategies for conflict resolution or negotiating in business, political or social endeavors through a greater understanding of human interaction.

The publishing of both Sun Tzu's and Sun Pin's works together makes for a valuable purchase. I've found that this translation is also quite easy to follow, and the comments assist with interpretation. These works represent awesome insights into the nature of warfare.

The Art of War is the oldest and best military treatise this world has seen. It is amazing how Sun Tzu can talk about strategy and warfare in thirteen short chapters. His book is just the best about competition and strategy. And now we get to Sun Pin, the military strategist. I have awesome respect for him. He was betrayed and mutilated by his best friend, and still, he survived. He defeated his nemesis in a great strategic way that Sun Tzu would have mostly likely done. These two are the best and if they were in this world today, they would won every war that we fight, by their ability to adapt. If you want to get Ancient Strategy and Chinese Culture, get this book.

My jaw dropped when i first read this book, i never new something this detailed on war existed! A must read for war gamers, these strategies can be used for a variety of games out there. Nicely done format, awesome commentries....words cannot explain....

I've read this book for 3 times now (in two diffrent lenguages) and it just keeps getting better. It is a powerful book in warfare and is the basis of modern military thinkers. I train in the art of Shinobi and was my delight to know that the Iga region clans used this book as part of their basic strategies. Sun Tzu will always be a military genious. It is a must for Martial Artist, Law enforcers, Military personnal, Business men, and everyday person. Get it!!!!!!

Sun Tzu is simplily the greatest military genius of all time. Dispite the book being written centuries ago it still provides wisdom for present warfare. Even more then that it also provides wisdom for everyday use. This book should be requirred reading in schools. Adding The Military Methods to the Art of War to create one book was a great idea. Sun pin picks up were is grandfather leaves off and he goes into a little more detail. The book provides history of China when the books were written. I usually do not like commentaries but these were not that bad. Personally I like to take my own meaning out of the context of this book which I believe gives it more meaning to your own life in this present time.

The Warring States period Warring States Period 475-221 BCE is a history of constant warfare, of alliances and counter-alliances, and of treaties made and broken. The nature of warfare evolved during the period. During the Warring States period, political stability was impossible to gain by adventurous military action. With the advent of swelling ranks of soldiers, protracted sieges, and an ever increasing drain on state treasuries, warfare became a serious matter for study.

Thus, the opening remark of "The Art Of War" states--without exaggeration--war had become the most serious business of the state, the key to survival or ruin. The author of this and other pithy aphorisms on how to successfully fight a war was Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu scholars place his writing "The Art of War" in the Warring States Period, based on the descriptions of warfare in the text. The book has received great exposure in the west starting in the eighteenth century after being translated by a French missionary. It has been reported that Napoleon studied the text and effectively put many of its teachings to good use. For the past 2,000 years, it has been the most important military treatise in all of Asia, even known by name with the common people. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese military figures have studied it and employed its concepts to good effect. This is especially evident in the military tactics of 20th century revolutionaries like Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh.

The book is comprised of 13 chapters. The thesis of Sun's work is one should employ an army after a thorough analysis mandated by careful planning and the formulation of an overall strategy before embarking on a campaign. Sun emphasizes rational self-control, influenced by Daoist teachings throughout the book.

Chap 1-Laying Plans
18. All warfare is based on deception. 19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Chap 6-Weak Points And Strong
8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

The best translation is the Samuel B. Griffith edition

Bought a copy. Lost it. HAD TO buy another to replace it. An excellent book, Sawyers commentaries modernize and place in context applicable to today's managers. Clearly a lot of work went into his explanations. A must have, must read, must study. Provided me with months worth of reading material at lunch.

I know there are a ton of publishers putting out this book but this has to be one you seriously consider. First off the cover is great,the hardcover a nice grey with black spine and gold lettering. So its going to look good in the collection.

Next is the content of the book. While it is "The Art of War" much like the other versions out there this one adds to it. The commentary provided after each chapter is a great aid in fully absorbing what this book has to teach. Not everything is quick and easy to absorb but the commentary helps the learning process along. While I didn't care much for the Sun Pin half it is there in the same book which is a plus along with the useful commentary.

I have to say when I first saw this version of the book I couldn't get through the check out line fast enough. The book itself regardless of this copy or any of the others should be a "MUST READ" for anyone interested in military history as its almost impossible to not run into Sun Tzu references. If need be buy one of the cheaper copies out there but make sure to bookmark this one when you can buy a step up.

The publishing of both Sun Tzu's and Sun Pin's jointly creates an important investment in thought. I've discovered that all of this particular interpretation is also quite easy to follow and the reviews benefit us greatly along with the interpretation. The majority of these acts signify amazing thoughts on the kinds of fighting styles