Rating: 
Summary: What can I do with this.!!!
Review: The things Musashi says in this book are well thought out and are true. But today in America there is no use for this book and worse no way to apply what I teaches in our modern American society. So way to incorporate it or drain all of its knowledge out if you don`t join so underground samurai clan and practice the Art of the Way in a Dojo or something. I can`t use anything in here. not Practical today. Useless.,
Rating: 
Summary: A Profound Work of Philosophy
Review: The Book of Five Rings is an amazing insight into the mind of one of the greatest warriors in human history. Miyamoto, or "sword saint" as the Japanese call him, was both a powerful warrior and a deep thinking philosopher. He produced numerous works of art, including self-portraits, paintings of buddhas, and sword tsubas. The depth of his thought can be seen clearly in this philosophical treatise, a must read for anyone who is serious about combat and the philosophy behind combat. However, the reader be warned that this is not a martial arts "how to book." Miyamoto fails to divulge any specific sword techniques, only describing strikes, stances, and sword positioning at a most basic level. Having said this, the work is centered around the philosophy behind combat and killing. The most powerful weapon is the human mind which Miyamoto attempts to begin training with this fantastic work. It is a book that can and should be read again and again by both beginners and experts: it never fails to yield some bit of philosophy that helps strengthen the mind. While what Miyamoto says on numerous occasions is mind bending, such as his section on fighting and defeating fifty to sixty men, and difficult to fully grasp this is a work that I think everyone should read sometime in their life and should be required reading in every dojo.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but archaic and worthless in a gunfight
Review: Written in an almost zen style, this book seems written in a purposefully cryptic style so that one apparently has to "meditate" on the passages or reflect on them for days, weeks or even years to supposedly/hopefully get an "insight" that will be useful in a much more modern context. If you were expecting a cut-to-the-chase, straight-talking Western style book on practical systematic strategies and techniques and are put off by archaic/metaphoric symbolic language fraught with alien/archaic analogies that may mean nothing to the Western reader; and that dances around specific meaning without ever actually coming right out and saying them, then I highly suggest that you look elsewhere. Musashi may have been the best Japanese-style swordsman who ever lived, and perhaps even in the entire world. However it's sort of amusing how so many Japanese revere this swordsman, for with the penchant for the extreme cleanliness of the Japanese, they would be extremely put off by Miyamoto who went unbathed quite often and was probably quite aromatic at times to put it mildly. But, heh, when you're that good with the most modern weapons of your era, well, then I guess you can do pretty much whatever you want. An interesting read, but unlike many of Miyamoto's ardent devotees, I think far too many martial artists have lost their way. Martial "arts:" supposedly originally a way to prepare the body for spiritual meditation and improved health, has turned into for far too many as simply clubs for individuals far too obesessed with learning new and more efficient ways to hurt, maim and kill people and break inanimate objects. There's a very fine line between a martial "artist" and a thug. And I have observed that sadly far too many have crossed that line. To sum it up: A fine book if you're into obsolete archaic weapons and their usage that nobody ever brings to a modern-day gunfight. It's so easy to kill and destroy, but there's only one way to create life. But that's all a sword is meant to do: Kill. I see nothing honorable, glamorous or worshipful about that. If you want to defend yourself, taking into consideration how many years it takes to master Japanese swordsmanhip or indeed most martial arts, it would be far more time efficient to simply learn to shoot a gun and leave the swords in the museums of the archaic past where they belong. When I was a teen ager this stuff fascinated me too, but I grew up and got over it.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless classic
Review: This is a timeless classic that belongs on everyone's shelf. I first read this book when I was a senior in high school, then went out and bought a copy for myself. It is a great book, and teaches you alot of everyday life and not just swordsmanship.
Rating:
Summary: Places Musashi in an Historical Context
Review: What I prefer about Victor Harris's translation of Musashi Miyamoto's book is the fact that Harris has gone through exacting lengths not just to present an accurate translation in the context of a 17th-century samurai, but to present Musashi in his proper historical context. As opposed to every other English translation I have read, this one includes a chapter which gives a biography of Musashi, and shows many of his creations, such as paintings (including a self-portrait), tsuba (swordguards), etc. We can see where Musashi stayed, and what his grave looks like, etc. For clarity in understanding, this volume, along with the translation by Thomas Cleary, are the best. I should justify that by explaining that I practice martial arts--for those of you looking for a business oriented edition, there are several translations and interpretations out there which are geared towards your needs. For those of you involved in the practice of martial arts, sports, or with an interest in historical strategy texts, I heartily recommend this translation! Whay does this book discuss? Musashi's masterpiece eschews practice, and decries vanity, ego, and "secrets". Musashi was a practitioner of Zen Buddhism, and the influence of Zen philosophy can be seen everywhere in his writing. This is however, definately a book on the strategy of swordsmanship, and not a treatis on religion. Musashi Miyamoto fought in a number of duels--back in the era of true challenge matches--when usually the victor was the man left living! The realities of his times, the fact that life was so cheap and had to be guarded fiercly, and that Musashi succeeded in doing this is what makes his writing even more precious. This was the book Musashi passed on to the students of his school, the unusual two-bladed Ni-to Ryu (two-sword school). For more on the historical Musashi Miyamoto, read Makoto Sugawara's excellent (non-fiction) "Lives of Master Swordsmen".
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting historical read, poor commentary....
Review: This book is interesting to read for it's historical merits. I would also imagine practitioners of the sword arts would find this a highly prized text. The commentary, however, could have been a lot better. I also think this text is pretty overrated as a business manual. How or why this would apply to the business arena is difficult to ascertain. There are better sources for inspiration in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent little book for Martial artists
Review: I bought this book as a martial artist and I feel that it's real
value is as a treatise for those interested in the fighting arts.
I don't really see how it might help a business person who would
probably be better off buying George Leonard's Mastery if they
want a Zen/Aikido flavoured business strategy.
This is an excellent size for keeping in your pocket to refer to
during those quiet spells. It's a very clear book, not jargon.
NOTE: This pocket edition is NOT abridged as advertised on this
web page. It's the whole book.
Rating:
Summary: A study of the five rings
Review: As another reviewer stated this is not a book for the casual reader. While I have now read and studied the book and its teaching well over twenty times, I still find new things to ponder each time. Going from this if you are learning the way of the sword. DO NOT go read a section and try to do it yourself, you will only end up hurting yourself. Think and meditate upon the text before ever trying anything. Also the book alone is not a teacher, only a reference. If you really wish to learn the way of the sword seek out a teacher. However when it comes to books on this topic you will find no better. Which is why I give it 5 of 5 stars, but to someone who is not truly interested in the way it will most likely bore them. As for the book itself. It is broken into 5 main sections Ground/Water/Fire/Wind/Void, each being their own philosophy and style with the sword.
Rating:
Summary: Strategies For Whom?
Review: The "Book of Five Rings" is an ancient text from the renowned Japanese samurai teacher, which was written in 1645. The introduction, which is necessary to read to understand the environment and the political state of japan during the period when the author wrote the book, will put anybody to sleep. The text consists of five individual books: 1.) Ground
2.) Water
3.) Fire
4.) Wind
5.) Void Each book goes into a specific type of combat for various situations and weapons, which can be brought over into every life of business people. To understand all of the five books, one meeds to read them at least five times. I was expecting a lot more from this book but it left me more dissapointed than anything. If you are looking for an understandable book on strategy that can be applied to business, I would highly recommend reading Sun Tzu's "The Art of War".
Rating:
Summary: Dated
Review: Interesting as a document from the Edo period, but dated and awkward as a book targeted in translation for modern Western businesspeople dealing in Japan. Fascinating as a straightforward historical first person account of the life and personal philosophy of a warrior from Shogunate Japan, but almost silly to the extent that it attempts to be more. The commentary is can be skipped entirely, as it attempts to read far to much into the text (not much of which feels relevant today); but it leaves the reader suspicious of the translation iteslf, which seems strained in several places.
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