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The Art of War
by
Sun Tzu
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle....
These are the words of ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, whose now-classic treatise, The Art of War, was...more
These are the words of ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, whose now-classic treatise, The Art of War, was...more
Paperback, 82 pages
Published
November 1st 1989
by Delta
(first published -400)
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Simply put, Sun Tzu says that it is better not to fight that to be involved in a conflict, but if you are going to have to fight, then you have to do it to win, and these are the various strategies, often brutal, that will get you that result.
Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince says if you are in a position of power and seek to maintain it, it is better to be loved and respected, but if you can't achieve that, then at least enforce respect and these are the, often brutal, strategies that will get...more
Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince says if you are in a position of power and seek to maintain it, it is better to be loved and respected, but if you can't achieve that, then at least enforce respect and these are the, often brutal, strategies that will get...more
May 05, 2007
Sporkurai
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
morons or tacticians
Evidently, it seems, for the last couple thousand years, EVERYONE has been using the same textbook on how to conduct a war. It also seems to be that nobody even knows for sure who wrote the book or when, but everyone uses it anyway. Included in this book are precious reminders that strategy helps you win, retreating helps you not die, if you outnumber the enemy 5 to 1, attacking would probably be a good idea, and also if you're a tiny country surrounded by powerful countries, it might be time to...more
52 likes · like · see review
Jul 17, 2007
Tom Marotta
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
all
So many little wars must be waged daily. Works on the battlefield and the office.
CLASSICS:
"When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move."
"In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory."
"Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy."
"Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are igno...more
CLASSICS:
"When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move."
"In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory."
"Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy."
"Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are igno...more
30 likes · like · see review
My wife says watching me read The Art of War is like watching Danny DeVito read The Joy of Sex. I'm not sure how to take that.
Bottom line, I'm a lover not a fighter. I started this because I know that many people love this work and say they get a lot out of it. But it became clear to me after quite a few pages that The Art of War really is about fighting a war no matter what other people might interpret it to be. So I'm not interested.
Besides the two things I need to know about fighting I learne...more
Bottom line, I'm a lover not a fighter. I started this because I know that many people love this work and say they get a lot out of it. But it became clear to me after quite a few pages that The Art of War really is about fighting a war no matter what other people might interpret it to be. So I'm not interested.
Besides the two things I need to know about fighting I learne...more
29 likes · like · see review
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally here.)
The CCLaP 100: In which I read for the first time a hundred so-called "classics," then write essays on whether or not they deserve the label. The Art of War is essay #27 of this series.
The story in a nutshell:
More of a technical manual than a piece of general literature, The Art of War is a field gui...more
The CCLaP 100: In which I read for the first time a hundred so-called "classics," then write essays on whether or not they deserve the label. The Art of War is essay #27 of this series.
The story in a nutshell:
More of a technical manual than a piece of general literature, The Art of War is a field gui...more
11 likes · like · see review
Sep 16, 2008
Colleen
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in Imperial Chinese military strategies.
While Sun Tzu is constantly praised for his work on The Art of War, I find it hard to believe that it has inspired anyone. This famous military strategy book has provided people such as Napoleon and the cast of 'Survivor: China' advice on handling the opposing force. However, despite the simple (yet adequate) translation that Lionel Giles provided, The Art of War does nothing more than to reiterate common sense. Sun Tzu asks the audience to not show off their strong points, but to lead the enemy...more
13 likes · like · see review
If you've ever picked up a self-help book where the author is repeatedly stating the obvious, then you've experienced the writing style of this book. The overall concepts could've been summarized in a short essay rather than a book. Its length is a testament to its antiquity, though the author has done a noble job of re-ordering and editing bits of the chapters to provide continuity and to delete repetition.
Oriental philosophy is often ripe with a kind of double-speak and this book is no excepti...more
Oriental philosophy is often ripe with a kind of double-speak and this book is no excepti...more
12 likes · like · see review
Aug 10, 2007
Patrick-
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
friends
Shelves:
alreadyread
One of the classics of the ancient world, it also speaks volumes in our own modern world.
This particular version had a long-winded history lesson as it's introduction, which was much longer than Sun Tzu's book itself. It was somewhat interesting, but not all that necessary. The actual book can be somewhat vague (we don't need to fight the way ancient Chinese warriors did), but it is easily open to the reader's own interpretation to apply to situations in their own lives. I highly recommend readi...more
This particular version had a long-winded history lesson as it's introduction, which was much longer than Sun Tzu's book itself. It was somewhat interesting, but not all that necessary. The actual book can be somewhat vague (we don't need to fight the way ancient Chinese warriors did), but it is easily open to the reader's own interpretation to apply to situations in their own lives. I highly recommend readi...more
This book is very militaristic but i don't necessarily think it can be only applied to military and war. I think that the things in this book could help someone mentally prepare for some sort of competition particularly in some sort of sport.
I think the authors purpose in writing this novel was to educate people about the strategies of war. I say this because throughout the book it constantly gives accounts of how the strategies and different ideas were demonstrated in many battle situations.
Th...more
I think the authors purpose in writing this novel was to educate people about the strategies of war. I say this because throughout the book it constantly gives accounts of how the strategies and different ideas were demonstrated in many battle situations.
Th...more
The version of the Art of War I would recommend is by Shambhala. It's the most readable and most touching translations I've found of this book. The Shambhala translation comes with essays by the Shambhala group, which add to the great depth and breadth of this work. I've read this book two or three times, with the essays, and I will continue to read it many more times throughout my life. Despite the name, it's not just for those interested in war. It's a book about strategy and rhythms and flow...more
Brilliant! Graphic format adds so much.
2 likes · like · see review
“All warfare is based on deception.”
“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”
Born in the fifth century B.C., Sun Wu (Sun Tzu was an honorary title) wrote the quintessential rulebook for warfare, known today as Art of War. While the often quoted lines of Sun Tzu are as lyrical as poetry, it was written 2,500 years ago with the singular purpose of...more
“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”
Born in the fifth century B.C., Sun Wu (Sun Tzu was an honorary title) wrote the quintessential rulebook for warfare, known today as Art of War. While the often quoted lines of Sun Tzu are as lyrical as poetry, it was written 2,500 years ago with the singular purpose of...more
1 like · like · see review
Dec 05, 2009
PlatKat
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Boys
Recommended to PlatKat by:
Bryan, and then Dominic
Back when I was the tender age of 16, a guy I really liked lent me this book. He said it was his favorite book and that I would love it too. I excitedly rushed home to devour this piece of literature in hopes that we could have one more thing in common to bring us even closer together.
Now I'm 28, and the more things change, the more they stay the same. This time, I am living in sin with the guy I do so very much desire, and I know he doesn't give a rat's ass whether I read the book or not.
But ju...more
Now I'm 28, and the more things change, the more they stay the same. This time, I am living in sin with the guy I do so very much desire, and I know he doesn't give a rat's ass whether I read the book or not.
But ju...more
9 likes · like · see review
The Art of War has been on my ‘to read’ list for a long time because it seems to be frequently referenced and I wanted to read the source of the hype. Sun Tzu’s lists of adages are grouped by topic into 13 chapters (see helpful overview at Wiki Art of War.
The chapter titles are: 1) Laying Plans (Detail Assessment & Planning, Calculations); 2) Waging War (The Challenge); 3)Attack by Stratagem (Strategic Attack, The Plan of Attack); 4) Tactical Dispositions (Disposition of the Army, Positionin...more
The chapter titles are: 1) Laying Plans (Detail Assessment & Planning, Calculations); 2) Waging War (The Challenge); 3)Attack by Stratagem (Strategic Attack, The Plan of Attack); 4) Tactical Dispositions (Disposition of the Army, Positionin...more
3 likes · like · see review
I hoped to get more from the Art of War than I did. I hoped to find in this translation of the ancient text metaphors and symbolic formulations that I could apply to my own life. In particular I hoped to find ways to overcome the challenges in life that we create in our minds. I also hoped to find ways to become a better drummer: stronger, clearer of mind, more fearless. Perhaps I expected too much. I think this text bears more heavily upon those who seek to excel in adversarial endeavors, such...more
Nov 28, 2007
El
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cultural-studies-and-other
The Art of War is often referenced in other books and movies as being a great source of information on how to strategize in business as well as war. I believe Donald Trump has raved about it more than once as something that has helped him build his, um, "empire".
The first section is the Lionel Giles' translation of Sun Tzu's masterpiece; the second section is also Lionel Giles' translation of Sun Tzu's masterpiece, with his own interpretations interspersed throughout the reading. Essentially one...more
The first section is the Lionel Giles' translation of Sun Tzu's masterpiece; the second section is also Lionel Giles' translation of Sun Tzu's masterpiece, with his own interpretations interspersed throughout the reading. Essentially one...more
6 likes · like · see review
As the rating implies...it was ok. Some people say that Sun Tsu's principles can be applied in real life, that his tactics and strategies have broader implications. If you stretch your imagination, you can see what those people are talking about. But in reality, those strategies can be impossible to employ in daily life. Choosing a defensive ground to limit the opportunities of your enemies to attack...engaging in battle only when the battle can be won. That's great...but sometimes you are stuck...more
A common sense guide to the embattled leader. In this classic, the reader will find advice on building alliances, considering advantages and disadvantages, maintaining morale, maintaining discretion, avoiding self-glory, and adapting to ever-changing circumstances. All of these qualities are necessary in business and life.
This is definitely a book that should be required as a read for anyone!
Very well written, especially considering the fact that our was written more than 2,000 years ago.
This is definitely a book that should be required as a read for anyone!
Very well written, especially considering the fact that our was written more than 2,000 years ago.
I should have read this sooner. The amount of information I inherited from the traditional Chinese commentators is ridiculously high. I am going to apply what I learned from this book to my life. Everything I do. I'll be quoting Master Sun for a while. I apologize in advance to those who talk to me on a daily basis.
I read this in one sitting, since it's relatively short, with and/or without the commentary. I read without commentary first, then followed up with commentary. These guys seriously p...more
I read this in one sitting, since it's relatively short, with and/or without the commentary. I read without commentary first, then followed up with commentary. These guys seriously p...more
4 likes · like · see review
I'm glad to have finally read this book. It's just as relevant now as it was when it was first written, not only in terms of military strategies, but in other areas as well such as business, where knowing your competition is the key to success.
Faz eu querer jogar Total War! :)
This is a beautiful and scholarly presentation of a truly elegant piece of ancient literature. Griffith puts forth his interpretation of "The Art of War" based on a revision of his Ph.D. thesis presented some years ago. Commentaries from several sources are included along side of Griffith's own translation. Footnotes are ubiquitous in the text explaining various discrepancies in interpretations, translations and historical contexts. There is a nicely-done introduction discussing various scholarl...more
This book is honestly one of the most interesting books I have read but also requires an interest in anything war related. If you're wondering why, it's because this book doesn't have a story to it at all. No, no, no, you see, this book is all about how you should go about war. Things that you should strive for, and things you should avoid. For example, he talks about how you should always be stealthy and have your enemy never predict your attacks. Also about how you shouldn't stay in a war too...more
May 06, 2013
DW
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
dutiful-classics,
good-to-know
The first part (without the commentary), went completely over my head. I mean, I got "The military is a Tao of deception - Thus when able, manifest inability" etc., but not a whole lot else. Shih? li? counting rods? Hwun-hwun dwun-dwun what? I was not expecting the cryptic quasi-verse. It didn't help that the first essays pointed out that different versions of the Sun Tzu (as it is called in Chinese) say the exact opposite of each other. It's either "Defend and one is insufficient. Attack and on...more
The Art of War is short but to the point, like a dagger. A tremendously influential strategist, Sunzi was always looking for the elegant, decisive solution. He was acutely aware of the costs of war in terms of dollars and cents. He knew that raising an army, maintaining it and keeping it ready cost a nation greatly, and so concluded that wars should be brought to a decisive point as soon as possible. Logistics were crucial to Sunzi, and he knew that as supply lines were extended, they brought vu...more
The Art of War
This novel talked about not just warfare tactics as the title clearly states but also of the rationalism behind it and another way to interpret it like you never had before. Its chapters are divided up from pre war to the actual war itself in the beginning of the novel it discusses the mindset a general has to have before a war. It show’s how the mindset of someone less prepared can be. So if the enemy’s army is and has been ready before your army it has the advantage of first atta...more
This novel talked about not just warfare tactics as the title clearly states but also of the rationalism behind it and another way to interpret it like you never had before. Its chapters are divided up from pre war to the actual war itself in the beginning of the novel it discusses the mindset a general has to have before a war. It show’s how the mindset of someone less prepared can be. So if the enemy’s army is and has been ready before your army it has the advantage of first atta...more
Feb 18, 2013
Latie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
classics,
general-audiance
A fascinating 2000 year old text that offers still relevant advice on leadership, foreward thinking, and cunning.
One of the greatest lessons emphasized in this book is to avoid war at all cost, but to treat it as a necessary evil when no other option is available. Sun Tzu also advices to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, preserve captured cities; as they are worth more in working order then burnt ash. He also emphasizes that you use everything to your advantage, from terrain, battle formations, to yo...more
One of the greatest lessons emphasized in this book is to avoid war at all cost, but to treat it as a necessary evil when no other option is available. Sun Tzu also advices to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, preserve captured cities; as they are worth more in working order then burnt ash. He also emphasizes that you use everything to your advantage, from terrain, battle formations, to yo...more
Jan 20, 2013
Muhammad Salman
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-2013-with-summer-assignments
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is one of the most common pieces of literature used today, especially for military purposes. Sun Tzu writes an amazing book that teaches one about deception and reveals the truth of going to war. Some of the things mentioned are, what one may call, logical. The Art of War by Sun Tzu continuously mentions the idea of saving as much resources as possible.
The idea of saving as many resources as possible is shown by Sun Tzu when he says: "Who ever is first in the field a...more
The idea of saving as many resources as possible is shown by Sun Tzu when he says: "Who ever is first in the field a...more
Meet Sun Tzu.
While reading The Art of War, the thing I thought most was "my, what a large God Complex you have." Looking at this picture of him, I'm thinking the same thing.
Most of what's included are basic battle tactics. The way they're told, however, read as though the opponent couldn't possibly be as smart to do what we're going to do. I'm sure quite a lot of the wording changed in the translation and there's also a healthy dose of encouragement for the soldiers but, criminy, a little humil...more
While reading The Art of War, the thing I thought most was "my, what a large God Complex you have." Looking at this picture of him, I'm thinking the same thing.
Most of what's included are basic battle tactics. The way they're told, however, read as though the opponent couldn't possibly be as smart to do what we're going to do. I'm sure quite a lot of the wording changed in the translation and there's also a healthy dose of encouragement for the soldiers but, criminy, a little humil...more
Simply put, it's as thought provoking as it is cryptic. It's extremely difficult to read the advice that Sun Tsu gave, because much of it is is told in metaphor, making it a stressful read. But it does contain many (at the time) revolutionary concepts, both in terms of actually conducting an actual war and evaluating it in terms of a strictly objective based approach. In this way, it's a useful read for people who want to know about chinese military history or want to gleam a small look into the...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| THEE ARTISTICO GROUP: what do you want | 1 | 6 | Nov 15, 2012 04:17pm | |
| THEE ARTISTICO GROUP: the best art guy | 5 | 5 | Nov 05, 2012 01:53pm | |
| The Dusty Bookshelf: help on art of war by sun tzu | 4 | 44 | Sep 01, 2012 03:15am |
Sun Tzu (孫子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ) is a honorific title bestowed upon Sūn Wu (孫武 c. 544-496 BC), the author of The Art of War (孫子兵法), an immensely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu believed in the use of the military sciences to effect outcomes that would result in peace.
In the author's name, Sūn Wu, the character wu, meaning "military", is the same as the character in wu shu...more
More about Sun Tzu...
In the author's name, Sūn Wu, the character wu, meaning "military", is the same as the character in wu shu...more
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“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
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“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
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