The Art of War: The oldest military treatise in the world - Softcover

Sun-Tzu

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9562911276 ISBN 13: 9789562911276

Publisher: BN Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

Known throughout history as one of the greatest works of military strategy, the Long River Press edition of The Art of War situates Sun Tzu's classic text as one of the greatest works of the Chinese philosophical canon. Rather than adapting Sun Tzu's writings for contemporary genres, this edition faithfully captures the essence of the original text, which continues to make a lasting impact on the world more than 2,500 years after its creation.

About this title

Review:

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

From the Publisher:

Here is a seminal work on the philosophy of successful leadership that is as applicable to contemporary business as it is to war. James Clavell has taken a 1910 translation and clarified it for the contemporary reader.

About this edition

• Publisher: BN Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 9562911276
• ISBN 13: 9789562911276
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 80