Thunder in the Sky: Secrets on the Acquisition and Exercise of Power [Paperback]

Thomas Cleary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Understanding the development and practice of power—based on an in-depth observation of human psychology—has been a part of traditional Chinese thought for thousands of years and is considered a prerequisite for mastering the arts of strategy and leadership. Thunder in the Sky presents two secret classics of this ancient Chinese tradition. The commentary by Thomas Cleary—the renowned translator of dozens of Asian classics—highlights the contemporary application of these teachings.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Asian classicist Cleary has translated a virtual library of ancient Zen, Taoist, and Confucian writings. His translations of Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings and Sun-tzu's The Art of War (1993), which have been touted as keys to political and business success, are particularly popular. For those who view the marketplace as a battleground, he renders here first-time translations of two ancient, influential Chinese masterpieces. "Thunder in the sky" in Chinese symbology means "great power," and Cleary suggests that a careful reading of both "The Master of Demon Valley" and "The Master of the Storehouse" will lead to an understanding of "the acquisition and exercise of power." Recommended for philosophy and eclectic business collections. David Rouse --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A resource for a powerful career that is helpful to oneself and others."— Shambhala Sun

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Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157062660X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570626609
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #929,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Cleary is the preeminent translator of classic Eastern texts, including The Essential Tao, The Essential Confucius, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and the bestselling The Art of War.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but lesser works, June 3, 2004

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thunder in the Sky (Hardcover)

This presents translations of two pieces, "The Master of Demon Valley" (TMDV) and "The Master of the Hidden Storehouse" (TMHS). Both are very readable translations, with the smooth, idiomatic style that Cleary always delivers.

I found TMDV to be a baffling piece. Its aphorisms are all simple, even obvious statements. I really felt as if I were missing something: perhaps there were depths that I couldn't pierce, or the translation did not capture the text's intent, or the text assumed common knowledge of the Warring States period that has since been lost. I suspect the latter. Cleary offers a very helpful commentary on TMDV, just after the text itself. When I reread the text, referring to the commentary, I found it much more interesting.

TMHS stood by itself much better, and does not have a commentary. It extends the ideas on statecraft presented in the Lao Tzu, but has a more prosaic and straightforward style. In some ways, it seems to be a bridge to the Confucian thinking that dominated the era. It emphasized the belief that social hierarchy is part of mankind's natural order, and especially that farming and weaving are the proper duties of the agrarian classes. A modern reader may note, however, that The Way placed others in positions of power or learning and that these people needed much less encouragement to exercise that power or knowledge.

These seem not to be central works in the Taoist canon. Still, they are enjoyable, and the translation is clear and modern. This book will help develop a more complete library of the Chinese classics.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very powerful knowledge, May 10, 2002

By 

Munawar Ali "Munawar - blog.munawarali.com" (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Thunder in the Sky: Secrets on the Acquisition and Exercise of Power (Paperback)

With time and discipline, this sort fo knowledge can be very beneficial to man, but in the wrong hands...Could be used for the wrong purposes.

"Thunder in the Sky" is on the exercise of power based on Taoist principles. How to wield it, how to get it, how to manipulate people, and all the rest.

The book is written at a high level, almost a book of wise facts. I'm sure there are better books with specific knowledge on power; But as a general primer on the subject, this book does a good job.

I agree with the other reader that this book is not a direct translation of the original material...but I'm not an academic or a purist in that sense. I didn't care that there was a lot of Mr Cleary's own wording in places.

Lastly, its obvious that you really need a good scholar on the subject to teach this book to you. There are too many areas where I could tell there was a mountain buried under 1 sentance. But don't let that stop you from reading this book. I would recommend this book as a good starting place on the whole subject of power/management/diplomacy.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book holds the answers......, May 1, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thunder in the Sky (Paperback)

This book is exhilarating! Contained therein are two separate texts by Taoist sages on crisis/opportunity management theory; lessons from the masters. The simplicity and concision of this book delivers it's message of harmonious striving as effortlessly and sublimely as a child picks a flower; it's advice is wonderful.