Twenty-Five Hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote this classic book of military strategy based on Chinese warfare and military thought. Since that time, all levels of military have used the teaching on Sun Tzu to warfare and cilivzation have adapted these teachings for use in politics, business and everyday life. The Art of War is a book which should be used to gain advantage of opponents in the boardroom and battlefield alike.
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Shop the Amazon.com Textbooks Store and save up to 70% on textbook rentals, 90% on used textbooks and 60% on eTextbooks. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
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
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".
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 74 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Mackay
Format: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.
1. Know yourself.
2. Know your enemy.
3. Only fight when you can win.
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.
194 of 207 people found the following review helpful
By Virtus
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The translation is clumsy and needs improvement. Copy editing is sloppy. Numerous typos, misspellings, punctuation, and format errors. Serves as a cheap option, but would not recommend it for anyone seeking a quality copy to add to their collection or library.
187 of 202 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
The content of the book is fine, the publisher on the other hand . . .
February 26, 2008
By John Doe
Format:Paperback
This edition was published by Filiquarian Publishers and from a publishing perspective, this book appears to have been designed in a basic Word processing program. Shoddy, shoddy, work. Lacks creative design, weak choice of fonts, inconsistent spacing, erroneous punctuation symbols, etc. Additionally, one of the chapters was out of order. I'm speculating that the publisher didn't know how to read roman numerals and therefore placed the chapter incorrectly, and if they did, and there was a purpose for this, it should have been addressed in the non-existent introduction. The content of the book is fine, just buy an edition by a an established publisher rather than someone working from their basement.
62 of 65 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
82 of 88 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I cannot remember who introduced me to "The Art of War", but I know I could not hold onto the book for very long. Each friend I thought would benefit from the ancient words of Sun Tzu received a copy from me. I went through seven copies before buying the hard cover for my collection.
I found James Clavell's version quite difficult to find, but well worth it - due to clarity of reading and balance.
I tried reading Cleary's version, but could not get through the first chapter. However, I did purchase "Mastering the Art of War" by Cleary; finding it a better tour guide.
Clavell's "Art of War" offers tactical insight on overcoming an opponent whether it be war, work, relationships, or your own personal demons.
Sun Tzu created a timeless piece of history written for the future. I personally feel that today's society needs to look back, master the art of war, in order to repair the future.
Today I'm buying book #9 for a person who inspired me... I wanted to return the favor.
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
By NYM
Format:Kindle Edition
The content of the translations themselves was fine, but I found the formatting difficult to read. The translator also interjects thoughts into the middle of sentences which disrupted the flow of the text even further. Other versions may be fascinating, but I found this one stale and unremarkable.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Guidebook To Military Tactics
Hard to follow but informative. Outlines the China of a bygone time, its geography, social structure. The writer(s) were very aware of when to fight and when not to.
Published 3 days ago by Leighton Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must read
Many who I have spoken to have only seen this book as a military guide. This is not the case, strategy is usable in all aspects of life and after reading this I gained a better... Read more
Published 13 days ago by CArver beginner
5.0 out of 5 stars
This classic is a must
Sun Tzu is a not to be missed classic. Your library and your literacy aren't complete without this seminal book. Read more
Published 22 days ago by L. White
2.0 out of 5 stars
disappointed...
its not the type I wanted...I did not want a snap back. I was under the impression it was same as the white one with RW logo.
Published 22 days ago by Robin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This is a classic book. The translation is done very well and captures the ideas of Sun Tzu effectively. Why buy "ten step" books when Sun Tzu has nailed it for centuries?
Published 22 days ago by David Harris
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Wise Strategist was Sun Tzu
Much like the bible. Good rules for leadership and anyone striving to lead armies or nations. Writing style was sort of boring.
Published 23 days ago by Richard Osborne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art of War
The Art of War is a classic. I have read it 5 times at least. We actually read it in one of my jobs as well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Yasser Khalil
5.0 out of 5 stars
There is a reason this is a classic.
This book is straight forward and understandable. A surprising amount of the advice can be applied today - to non-military circumstances.
Published 1 month ago by Omar W. Wilson
3.0 out of 5 stars
The art of war
I didn't realize the book was just a bunch of quotes; most of which you can find online for free. Some relevant information you can use when negotiating.
Published 1 month ago by Scott Seargeant
5.0 out of 5 stars
HISTORY
MANY OF TODAYS MILITARIES HAVE THIS AS REQUIRED READING FOR THEIR OFFICERS, INSIGHT, COMMON SENSE AND GREAT STRATEGY, SFTER READING THIS, I IMPROVED MY CHESS GAME
Published 1 month ago by howard
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Books > History > Military > Strategy
- Books > History > Military Science
- Books > New, Used & Rental Textbooks > Humanities > History > Military
- Books > New, Used & Rental Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy
- Books > New, Used & Rental Textbooks > Social Sciences > Military Sciences
- Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern
- Books > Self-Help > Success
