The Art of War Shambhala classics
The Art of War is the Swiss army knife of military theory–pop out a different tool for any situation. Folded into this small package are compact views on resourcefulness, momentum, cunning, the profit motive, flexibility, integrity, secrecy, speed, positioning, surprise, deception, manipulation, responsibility, and practicality. Thomas Cleary’s translation keeps the package tight, with crisp language and short sections. Commentaries from the Chinese tradition trail Sun-tzu’s words, elaborating and picking up on puzzling lines. Take the solitary passage: “Do not eat food for their soldiers.” Elsewhere, Sun-tzu has told us to plunder the enemy’s stores, but now we’re not supposed to eat the food? The Tang dynasty commentator Du Mu solves the puzzle nicely, “If the enemy suddenly abandons their food supplies, they should be tested first before eating, lest they be poisoned.” Most passages, however, are the pinnacle of succinct clarity: “Lure them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion” or “Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent.” Sun-tzu’s maxims are widely applicable beyond the military because they speak directly to the exigencies of survival. Your new tools will serve you well, but don’t flaunt them. Remember Sun-tzu’s advice: “Though effective, appear to be ineffective.” –Brian Bruya
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars outstanding
I can not speak intelligently about the quality of this translation. Given the accuracy of translation / I found that this was a brilliant summary of tactics used in ground warfare in China several thousand years ago. Still poignant today across battlefields. It does not of course include ana/lysis of naval and air and ground technological advances. Excellent reading and it comes highly recommended.
4 Stars The art of war
This book will provide you the knowledge to declare war on Amazon – against a corporation who has chosen to silently and stupidly to censore the offerings online. They will not sell books that they deem as perceived ‘gay’ works. Welcome to Am-carthy-son.
4 Stars My first purchase book review
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is an excellent book especially for those people who are in the military or law enforcement. The language of the book refers to ancient and not modern times. Based on my readings the author seems to be an aggressor, since in modern times we strive for peace and not war-like in the ancient times.
2 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.
I’m giving two stars to this book’s introductory material. If I was more familiar with Chinese history, then perhaps I would have appreciated the introductory material more. Unfortunately, the introduction’s academic pitch was oftentimes beyond my reach. I picked this book up hoping to read a great Chinese work placed accessibly within historical context. In the end, I can say that I have read Sun Tzu, but I still can’t put him into context.
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. It is of very easy reading and very long full comprehension. It is like to be defoliating an artichoke or an onion. With each useful reading, more shades and perspectives are caught. That come to fruition in major richness, reading pleasure, agility and depth of thought.
Other “Chinese” books give you a number of strategies (the 33, the 36, the 100, etc.). Its utilization is based on its constant memorization or on its permanent application. I consider them to be slight practical, for the profuse, diffuse and still confused character of many ancient authors of the Han etnia. What does happen if a different case, that is not in your supposed check list, arises? It seems as if they wanted to conceal their supposed wisdom from the not initiated ones.
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