The Art of War (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 17, 2008 Nanosynergy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, lifetime-list, nonfiction, asia

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, Positioning); 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, Positioning); 5) Energy (Forces, Directing); 6) Weak Points & Strong (Weaknesses & Strengths, Illusion & Reality); 7) Maneuvering (Military Maneuvers, Engaging the Force); 8) Variation in Tactics (Variations & Adaptability, The Nine Variations); 9) The Army on the March (Movement & Development of Troops, Moving the Force); 10) Terrain (Situational Positioning); 11) The Nine Situations (The Nine Battlegrounds); 12) The Attack by Fire (Attacking with Fire, The Fiery Attack); 13) The Use of Spies (Intelligence and Espionage, The Use of Intelligence).

This is more a book to be studied and discussed, rather than read. I’ve never read a military strategy book and have no background to really judge this book’s value in the field, except to note that it appears to be an important text still used today in military training academies. For me, the book has the same feel of a business advice or self-help book, summarizing common sense observations/advice. It is not a page turner. Sections are repetitive and other sections I apparently don’t have the background to understand and will have to consult some secondary sources – should I want to pursue this further. Once I got used to the style of writing, I did find sections very interesting and relevant and am glad I took the time to slog through it.

My first read of this book was a 4-CD version I found on sale. I listened to it while driving my kids to/from lessons. They found it boring. The reader, Joe Mantegna, does a good job. However, as I discovered, this is not the best book to first experience in audio format. It is better suited to an initial visual read. I ended up also reading it online at Sonshi.com and at Gutenberg Art of War and then re-listening. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2013 Cherylcali "turn the page" rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Whatever battle you are struggling with these are some words of wisdom!

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."

"All warfare is based on deception."

"For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."

"What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease."

"Thus, what is of supreme importance ...more

Like · see review