Customer Reviews

The Illustrated Art of War

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

With its clear graphics and its wonderful illustrations, this version of the Art of War adds the element of the various interpretations of the text, set up much in the way that the classic Talmudic texts read. An important work in the history of military strategy and philosophy, this book has much to teach to anyone.

If you're in competition of any sort, you'd do well to read this classic work of Eastern Philosophy. While it primarily applies to warfare, with a little thought, you can understand how the information within can be applied to anything -- from business to sports.

The book is well laid-out, with an informative introduction to the work. Throughout, we get the primary points of Sun Tzu's work, which are further expounded upon by other Chinese philsophers that followed him. In most cases, this allows you to understand exactly what Sun Tzu what saying, there are instances where the quotes/explanations from the other philosophers directly contradict what Sun Tzu said, which makes things a little uncertain.

This does not mean you should discount this book -- it is actually an extremely good piece, both for the Eastern Philosophy or Military Sciences enthusiast, but for the beginner as well.

Every day of our lives, when we have issues in our works, duties , homes, school, or wherever, you can go to these wise pages that would give you the key to face your problems, and concerns whatever they are. With a different meaning, this book has been translated into every modern language and has been helpful to many business strategies in the whole world.
In this edition we can also read the introdution of Thomas Cleary who explains us the real meaning and a little biography of those generals who explain what Tsu's trying to say. This is not just only an interesting book for what it says, what it makes it more interesting are the higlighted pages , images, photos, sculptures and paints of the old China inmortalized in this beautiful edition.
This is simply the best edition ever made of this mythical book.

This beautifully illustrated edition provides parallel quotations from other great works of Zen philosophy and geo-political thought. The parallel quotations clarify Master Sun's work and enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation. A complementary "must have" for students of Master Sun.

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

You do not need too much words for explain and feel the presence of such unvaluable treasure . Highlighted supported with text and fotographs .
A presentation of first rate . And so a timeless reference book.

I cannot rave enough about this book. As I'm sure most translators or more authoritative people will point out, the translation quality here is superb. But, from the angle of the guy who knows almost zilch about that, the book offers guidance and discipline. While the original is short and to the point, this book offers a more 'warm' (if I can call it that) feeling, with photographic, smooth paper and various related pictures from the time.

That being said, this book also features commentary by other guys from the time relating to their opinions of Sun Tzu's words. It's definitely interesting to get perspectives from them and not just the author or translator. I felt that was a unique addition that really added to the book. You can read the whole thing of Sun Tzu's words in a couple days or so, but the deep discussion behind it offers a whole 'nother book in and of itself.