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The Art of War [Paperback]

Sun Tzu (Author), Samuel B. Griffith (Translator), B. H. Liddell Hart (Foreword)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
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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

"I find this book to be an excellent complement to a traditional text. It illustrates key strategic concepts from an alternative perspective. Specifically, it effectively addresses: planning in a dynamic environment, importance of leadership and harmonious relations with subordinates, efficient use of resources, importance of internal and external assessments and decision making - ethics, reception, timliness, decision quality, etc."--Jeff Trailer, University of Houston

Product Description

Written in China over two thousand years ago, Sun Tzu's The Art of War provides the first known attempt to formulate a rational basis for the planning and conduct of military operations. These wise, aphoristic essays contain principles acted upon by such twentieth-century Chinese generals as Mao Tse Tung. Samuel Griffith offers a much-needed translation of this classic which makes it even more relevant to the modern world. Including an explanatory introduction and selected commentaries on the work, this edition makes Sun Tzu's timeless classic extremely accessible to students of Chinese history and culture, as well as to anyone interested in the highly volatile military and political issues in present-day China.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 197 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press (September 15, 1971)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0195014766
  • ISBN-13: 978-0195014761
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #1 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Special Topics > Military Engineering
    #2 in  Books > Science > Technology > History of Technology
    #2 in  Books > History > Military > Strategy

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Sun Tzu
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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necessarily as Ssu-ma Ch'ien relates? Was the book ascribed to him written by him? Read the first page
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martial classics, employing troops, military classics, thirteen chapters, enemy situation, wise general
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Sun Tzu, Ts'ao Ts'ao, Sun Pin, Mei Yao-ch'en, Wang Hsi, Chia Lin, T'ien Chi, P'ang Chüan, Chu-ko Liang, Han Hsin, Ch'ên Hao, T'ien Tan, Ch'en Hao, Hegemonic King, Hsiao Hsieh, Huang-fu Wen, K'ou Hsün, Kao Chun, Sun Ch'üan, Sun Hsing-yen, Therefore Master Wang, Tsang Kung, Yuan Shao
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Sun Tzu For Success by Gerald A. Michaelson
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Customer Reviews

140 Reviews
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 (9)
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 (4)
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (140 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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73 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Whatever you were looking for, you've found it here., March 13, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Art of War (Paperback)
In ART OF WAR, there is a rare thing in books in which all of it or most of it can relate to many things. If the reader uses some of these war tactics and strategies in the modern world, they may find it easy to relate. Business is war, but in a different scenario than actual battles. Thus it is easy to relate to this book. Even rivals in sports and entertainment can be outwitted by the wisdom in this book. It also adds examples of some actions, which show how these sayings and writings apply to the real world.

So no matter what you were looking for in this book, whether it be business, entertainment, sports, war games, actual wars, or even travel, you can be sure to learn more on how ot attack life here.

The book's age is hard and easy to see at the same time. You can tell that it was written thousands of years ago by what Sun Tzu tells of. (Chariots, gold pieces are currency, etc...), but some of the grammar and language are shown well in the translation in the book, making it easy to read in English as well as other languages you would be able to find the book in.

The only weakness of this book would have to be its accented topic towards foriegn countries, and much older devices. The way to break through this is for the reader to be able to translate it into his/her life.

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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Broadening Your Perspective, September 21, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Art of War (Paperback)
War is not really based on honor... or glory, or even whose right. It's all about conditions, who has the advantage and how to dishearten your opponents while making sure your own resources are protected. It tells you what to look for through hundreds of various quotes and snippets of advice. This book was not entirely by Sun Tzu, but a collection of famous tacticians through-out history. Each seem to add another element to the concept of how to win in conflict.

In life, you can see a little of this in each day... but just remember not too get too carried away. After all, even Sun Tzu himself said 'A battle not fought, is a battle won.' For broadening your perspective, I'd suggest adding this book to your collection as well as 'Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Eastern Wisdom' by Taro Gold.

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35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Whose book are we reading, December 5, 2000
By THOMAS A COOPER (Nebraska City, Ne United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Art of War (Paperback)
I must admit that there are pearls of wisdom scattered throughout this book, it seems that you must wade through depths of Samuel Griffiths' editorial comments to reach them. While Griffith seems very knowledgable, I had a hard time sorting out Sun Tzu's views and Griffith' opinions on them. Much time was spent on how Tzu's works affected other military and cultural leaders of history. While this was interesting reading, I thought I was buying The Art of War, by Sun Tzu, whan actually, I was buying a book written about the book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Advice
William Shakespeare and Sun Tzu lived many centuries ago. Yet, for us, they are as fresh and new as modern writers. Their common thread is that of universality. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sharon Beverly

5.0 out of 5 stars the art of war
Well written and organized book. Not a strict translation but a narration of original work.
Published 1 month ago by Jeff D. Smith

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book
I like the clear language of the actual book. Although it is short, I recommend it be read various times.
Published 11 months ago by A. Lugo

5.0 out of 5 stars The gold standard
I've read at least one other translation of this work and the Samuel B. Griffith translation is much preferred. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Phil (San Diego, CA)

2.0 out of 5 stars Introductory material is not so introductory
At the outset, let me say that Sun Tzu gets 5 stars. Having withstood at least two millennia, his thirteen chapters of warlike proverbs are beyond any reproach I can provide... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Wayne Lucas

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Traslation I got in many years!!
The permanent and global chinese military theory from a classical author. Its style and content characteristics support the idea of one unique author. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Enrique Alonso

5.0 out of 5 stars The Illustrated Art of War
See "The Illustrated Art of War" ISBN 978-19518999X published in 2005. The same translator (Samuel B Griffith) and the same publisher (Oxford University Press) but in a hardcover... Read more
Published on June 29, 2008 by Diotima

1.0 out of 5 stars The Art of War
I ordered 3 copies and so far have only received one.

Please expedite.
Published on June 1, 2008 by Michael J. Fearon

4.0 out of 5 stars Now how is this book going to help me in the 21st century?
My review title says it all. Yeah it's a good and even famous book. But how does this book apply to our current age? Read more
Published on March 17, 2008 by P. V. de Metter

5.0 out of 5 stars The Optimistic Jew
B.H. Liddell Hart's favorite military thinker even though he lived 2,000 years earlier. Like Liddell Hart his thought transcends the military sphere and influenced me in my... Read more
Published on August 31, 2007 by Tsvi Bisk

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