The Illustrated Art of War [Hardcover]

Sun Tzu (Author), Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 1998

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 find that the principles it contains are as insightful for understanding the interactions of modern corporations as they were for understanding ancient Chinese armies.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sun Tzu's Art of War just got better. The Illustrated Art of War enlivens Thomas Cleary's complete translation, including commentaries, with full-color reproductions of paintings and statuary from China and Japan. Talk about martial art--these depictions show full battles scenes, the Chinese god of war, weaponry, processions--even an ancient map. --Brian Bruya

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 "Sun Tzu has won disciples in recent years among foreign executives, diplomats, politicians, athletes, and generals because of his simple insights on how to effortlessly vanquish an opponent."— Christian Science Monitor "This volume of ancient Chinese wisdom is consistently rated higher than most modern leadership books."— Inc. "The Art of War is on the nightstands of so many movers and shakers."— Rolling Stone

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 223 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (October 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570624224
• ISBN-13: 978-1570624223
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art of War, May 25, 2000

By A Customer

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

If you're going to pick up a copy of the "Art of War," this particular edition is the most attractive one to have sitting in a collection. You don't have to be an ancient Chinese general to learn from Sun Tzu's 2,000 year old masterpiece. Much of this material can still be applicable in day to day life if you look past the military language. Especially recommended for people trying to get ahead in tough fields like business or politics or even just for those who happen to like philosophy. Also check out the animated Art of War by Tsai Chi Chung if you're looking for a lighter hearted presentation of this and other Chinese classics.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Edition, January 22, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of War: An Illustrated Edition (Paperback)

The Art of War is well known. Dating from well over 2,000 years ago, it is a compilation of short sayings relating to military strategy. These sayings have seemingly been found applicable by generations of military and business leaders.

The author holds a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. This new translation is written close to modern language so that it makes more sense to the modern American reader. It further establishes the point of view of the spiritual traditions of Taoism, the origin of psychology, science, and technology in East Asia that are the source of the insights into human nature that underlie this classic.

The illustrations in this edition include some of the finest works of art from China, Japan, and Korea, selected from museums, galleries, and private collections in countries throughout the world.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Translation - Highly Recommended, September 30, 2005

By 

cn1134 "Cynthia" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of War: An Illustrated Edition (Paperback)

There is not much to say here except that this book is very complicated if you do not get a good translation. Thomas Cleary's translation here is probably one of the best out there to offer a version that translates well into English. The Art of War harnesses the Zen-state of Buddhism in order to master war is a paradox that Westerners have a very difficult time comprehending. Cleary's translation offers a rare but well written method for you to approach this paradox. His prologue is a must read for all. The Art of War in itself is very difficult to comprehend. Written in practical verses that seem applicable in everyday life, they are actually profound concepts with multiple meanings. I've owned and looked at several translations but I have to say this is one of the best. This book will provide you with the prologue to get you started to digest the dyspeptic Chinese bible of war, and the lucid translations of the verses thereafter will need time to assemble correctly in your head. I want to strongly advise you not to get discouraged because, afterall, the Art of War is very short compared to The Book of Five Rings or On War by Carl von Clausewitz. Once you get past the seemingly endless contrarian advice, you'll understand why this is still the most widely recognized book in Asia on how to deal with conflict and confrontation.