Helpful Score: 4
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is itself an elegantly simple text, filled with clear, but deep deep insights into the nature of reallity and humanity, worthy of reflection. The text as it appears in this book is expounded for the reader by 5 or 6 later writers who wanted to share their insights into the great general's meaning. Their comments are interspersed with the actual text. While Tzu's own words are picked out in bold type, reading the mixture is like herding long-tailed cats or stretching taffy, rewarding perhaps, but very sticky and wearisome. If you desire the insights of the great general prepare to work hard at picking them out and consider seeking a different edition.
Helpful Score: 1
I have not finished this book, but love what I have read so far. If you're the type of person who gets bored by long winded stories and would prefer the short of everything, this is for you! Basically the entire book is made up of lines - just an entire book of oneliners about the art of war, and many other corrilating topics.
Was as good as I had hoped. Not the text but written with the pinache of Clavell.
Tiny but good!!
Edited and with foreword by James Clavell (Tai-Pan, Shogun)
Translated by Lionel Giles
This is my second favorite translation of Sun Tzu's art of War, after the one by Thomas Cleary.
Translated by Lionel Giles
This is my second favorite translation of Sun Tzu's art of War, after the one by Thomas Cleary.
A classic on Strategy and Tactics. Many take it beyond warfare. This translation also gives a fine short history of Early China , The First Emperor and warring states periods.
The Art of War is cited in popular media as something more than it actually is. It really is a very general war strategy guide, some of which is applicable to today, some not, and some translatable to other areas. An interesting part of the Art is doing the unpredictable to gain an upper hand until you become predictably unpredictable, at which time you perform the predictable to become unpredictable anew.
A classic piece of Chinese Philosophy. Some highlights:
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.
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.
three stars, it's a classic
Good Book
This has to be my favorite version of The Art of War. It is a nice hand-held hardback with beautiful sketches of dragons, warriors, and calligraphy, .
As far as the information contained in this book, I would rate The Art of War as having five out of five stars.
As a person in the education field, I find that, on occasions, the classroom can become a battlefield. Sun Tzu offers some practical tips on taking the offensive against the antagonist, such as claiming the high ground, and using the strength of the antagonist against the antagonist.
A terse, summarily-written tome, may be lacking in proper syntax, but The Art of War offers practical tips on surviving, and overcoming, a hostile force.
As a person in the education field, I find that, on occasions, the classroom can become a battlefield. Sun Tzu offers some practical tips on taking the offensive against the antagonist, such as claiming the high ground, and using the strength of the antagonist against the antagonist.
A terse, summarily-written tome, may be lacking in proper syntax, but The Art of War offers practical tips on surviving, and overcoming, a hostile force.
Review by my husband, who is a high school history teacher: "I enjoyed the commentary section in the back more than the English translation of SunTzu's writing. This book gives good insight on military tactics and strategy used by many generals and leaders."
Edited with a forward by James Clavell. Clavell refers to this frequently in Noble House.
