Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War (Paperback)

~ Robert Cantrell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War is both a source and an interpretation of Sun Tzu's Art of War written to clarify Sun Tzu's philosophies on war without compromising the subtlety of thought needed to master them. Readers of this book, from across professional disciplines, will find key advice on leadership, advantage, and how to proficiently overcome adversaries.

From the Publisher

Sun Tzu on the Art of War, an ancient Chinese treatise on military strategy, is now required reading at military, business, and law schools in the United States and around the world. Possibly no book in history better describes how to win conflicts in any profession. Those who practice conflict resolution frequently use Sun Tzu’s philosophies as the cornerstone of their ways.

Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War explores the meaning of Sun Tzu’s philosophies through the use of high impact case examples, most involving American or British military forces. While also presenting strategic tools for use in any professional conflict, this book never lets readers forget that the original Chinese text is about war. For those with an interest in current military events, this book provides fertile ground for discussion on coalition war methods and aims. For all professions, military or otherwise, this book gets to the heart of efficient conflict resolution theory. Topics discussed include:

INTRODUCTION – A brief history of Sun Tzu on the Art of War and the underlying Taoist philosophy from which it was written WINNING WHOLE – How to win with your resources and your objective intact LEADING TO ADVANTAGE – How to prepare and position your soldiers for victory DECEPTION – How to keep your intentions secret from opponents ENERGY – How to apply force effectively and efficiently STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES – How to find the best path to the goal INITIATIVE – How to take and keep the advantage SUN TZU ON THE ART OF WAR – A complete translation CONCLUSION – Philosophical significance of Sun Tzu on the Art of War in competitive strategy

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Center For Advantage (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972291407
• ISBN-13: 978-0972291408
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #120,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best interpretation of Sun Tzu?s classic work I have read, July 7, 2003

By	Robert L. Cantrell "Center For Advantage" (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Published with permission, a review from Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews reads as follows: "As a retired military intelligence professional and conflict theorist, I must say this is the best interpretation of Sun Tzu's classic work I have read. The author focuses on the meanings behind this ancient Chinese war philosopher's writings. He puts them into a modern context, making them easy to understand. Apparently the Department of Defense agrees with me on this, since they have selected Mr. Cantrell's book as a text for the National War College in Washington DC. This is a must read for all military officers and business leaders. It rated a perfect five hearts."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch publication, May 29, 2003

By A Customer

"Understanding Sun Tzu on The Art of War" is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the oldest military treatise in the history of the world. However, this book is much more than just the rehashing of old source material. Robert Cantrell's book delves into the material in a much more practical sense that lets the reader truly comprehend and utilize Sun Tzu's philosophy. Cantrell takes Sun Tzu's 2,500 year old philosophies and applies them to the 21st Century, using a contemporary voice that makes the Art of War much more accessible to today's reader. However, and very importantly, the book doesn't strip away Sun Tzu's words with modern terminology. This book manages to bring Sun Tzu into the 21st century without taking away his voice.

Reading Sun Tzu is a bit like reading Shakespeare. You can read it, but can you understand it? "Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War" allows you to fully appreciate and synthesize what Sun Tzu is all about.

If you are interested in Sun Tzu philosophy, or if you are interested in life strategies, Robert Cantrell's book is a must buy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Insights, April 21, 2003

By A Customer

This analysis of Sun Tzu is great for anyone who has read The Art of War -- years ago, or months ago -- and not fully understood it. It's great for those who do already understand it!

Robert Cantrell gets to the heart of Sun Tzu without "dumbing down" the text, and he makes the text useful and does not simply substitute business phrases for the original text, which I've seen in other Sun Tzu books. Mr. Cantrell has also included a full translation of the original text.

I highly recommend this book.