The Tao of Peace: Lessons from Ancient China on the Dynamics of Conflict

by Wang Chen, Ralph D. Sawyer (Translator)

The perfect companion to the best-selling Art of War, this fascinating book provides lessons from ancient China on the dynamics of conflict.

Wang Chen, a ninth-century military commander, was sickened by the carnage that had plagued the glorious T'ang dynasty for decades. "All within the seas were poisoned," he wrote, "and pain and disaster was rife throughout the land." Wang Chen wondered, how can we end conflicts before they begin? How can we explain and understand the dynamics of conflict? For the answer he turned to a remarkable source-the Tao Te Ching. Here is Wang Chen's own rendering of and commentary on the ancient text, insightfully expanded and amplified by translator Ralph D. Sawyer, a leading scholar of Chinese military history.

Although the Tao long influenced Chinese military doctrine, Wang Chen's interpretations produced the first reading of it as a martial text--a "tao of war." Like Sun-tzu's Art of War, certainly the most famous study of strategy ever written, the Tao provides lessons for the struggles of contemporary life. In the way that the ancient Art of War provides inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive situations of all kinds, even in today's world, Wang Chen's The Tao of Peace uncovers action plans for managing conflict and promoting peace.

A book to put on the shelf next to Art of War, Wang Chen's The Tao of Peace is a reference of equally compelling and practical advice.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Military History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

225 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2000

About the author

Ninth-century military commander

Reviews

[Hadrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather novel offering from Ralph Sawyer with Mei-Chun Lee Sawyer. Sawyer is well known for his work in translating classical Chinese texts and work on military history specifically.

The work here is an obscure 9th century commentary by the civil servant Wang Chen 王真, a commentary on the Tao Te Ching called "Essential Explanations of the Tao Te Ching's Martial Discussions" 道德经论兵要义述. The book contains a translation of the Tao Te Ching, Wang's commentary, and then Sawyer's commentary on Wang's commentary.

Wang trying to write a military commentary on the Tao Te Ching, so what he's getting out of this is different than most other military texts. He ends up writing a lot about how rulers should not initiate aggressive warfare, but armies should be maintained in the case of deterrence. Sawyer, in his commentary, points out that Wang's interpretation is largely Confucian, in his defense of the concept of benevolence 仁, and so on. Sawyer really does know what he's talking about and he tends to pick apart contradictions or omissions in the other guy's commentary. In addition to this, the interpretation brings up the question of how syncretic Taoist and Confucian beliefs were in the period.

I wish Sawyer could have included a copy of works cited or a glossary - making this frustrating for the other specialists - but his analysis is solid. This is an intriguing curio and one that raises many questions.

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A military interpretation of the Tao te Ching which can be interpreted for all aspects of life like leadership, buisiness, and relationships. Like the Art of War it is up for the reader to interpret rather than just mindlessly reading this guys interpretations.

[Sean Evans]

The Tao of War by Wang Chen (2002)

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, this book turned out to be boring and I put it down. Once I put a book down, its very likely I'll never pick it up again. Why? You have to cut your losses.