The best book I've read that explains the historical context of Sun Tzu, Lao Tzu and Chinese Strategic Thinking. Covers a lot of details about Yin Yang, indirect approach, positioning and so much more.
Most people think The Art of War is about war but it is half true. This book is trying to recapture its original meanings. In order to understand Sun Tzu’s work, one must take a look at Qi, his home country where he grew up that later contributes much of his writing. Also the author presented that Sun Tzu using water metaphors in his strategy. So, the strategy proposed is not fixed yet confusing to the enemy. This book also elaborates Sun Tzu’s writing and relation with other’s work such as Sun Bin and Lao Tzu. Although this book was on How to Read the Art of War, it is still a hard work to actually understand about the book that the author trying to discuss. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is so different compared to Western’s thought on wars although several translations made for the Western audiences but The Art of War contains maxims and aphorisms, one could misinterpret the actual meaning. To understand more, the author cross-referencing western strategists’ work such as Clausewitz, Liddle-Hart, and John Boyd in order to clarify the actual meaning of Sun Tzu’s work.