The Art of War: The Definitive Interpretation of Sun Tzu's Classic Book of Strategy (Paperback)

by Sun Tzu (Author), Stephen F. Kaufman (Author)
Key Phrases: wise warlord

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Sun Tzu's Art of War is perhaps the best known and highly regarded treatise on strategy ever written. Although its wisdom is over two thousand years old, its principles are timeless for today's boardroom battlefields. Thirteen sections present incisive strategems from assessing the foe to proper treatment of troops to espionage. Hanshi Steve Kaufman, the widely acknowledged "Founding Father" of American Karate, translates this classic with respect for its powerful martial applications. Kaufman packs the power of the original text into straightforward prose for the benefits of all martial artists and corporate warriors.

About the Author
Stephen F. Kaufman, Hanshi 10th Dan, holder of the highest rank attainable in the martial arts, is an acknowledged "Founding Father of American Karate." A motivational speaker, self-defense expert, and author, Hanshi Kaufman has studied Eastern philosophy for over forty years. He is the founder of the widely recognized Dojo No Hebi (School of the Snake) and is the author of The Martial Artist's Book of Five Rings, The Shogun Scrolls, and Living Tao. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; 1st edition (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804830800
• ISBN-13: 978-0804830805
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #438,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read and understand...No hidden messges (clear), May 20, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Saratoga, California) - See all my reviews

I have a lot different versions and this one clears the smoke from the poetic nature of the others. It is straight forward and well written. Five Rings and this book are (how to) manuels for coping with competition and people.

A must read to further the understanding of Sun's work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic on the priciples of war, May 4, 2008

By	Steve Burns "Life long learner" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Translation of a classic..., September 7, 2008

By	Julian A. Seguro Barreiro (Connecticut) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book recommended by my Business Adm teacher but I didn't know which version of it to get...after much research I decided to get this one and did not regreat! Can't put it down...very easy to read and not too long...
Shows you how to be a good leader and how to act both in the boardroom and in the "real world"
Awesome purchase, Amazon.com was great as expected.