Rating: 
Summary: The Art of The Art of War
Review: As the subject implies, this work is certainly a work of art. Although James Clavell in no way can take credit for this book he has done a great work puting this edition together. This is not only shown in the translation, but also in the foreword as well as in the numerous short interludes that describe events in the Chinese history - events that was either descided upon by the use of Sun Tzu's words, or events that makes a point.During the XIII chapters you are guided trough all aspects of desicion making in a very poetic but also very precise manner. This will give you a large part of the knowledge you will ever need when commanding your own army. However, this is where the great gets better - take this knowledge and use it in every day life. Wheter you are an admiral or a car salesman you will be able to draw conclusions from this work in a wide number of ways. So do not miss out on this book, this work of art, this book of war - this manual to life itself.
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Summary: Missing the boat to China?
Review: Its infuriating to read so many people praise a book they clearly do not understand when they think its a bunch of flowery Chinese words that can apply to anything and any situation. This is a sign that these folks do not understand THE most important book ever written about warfare. Because of this Western mindset failing, I have to place B.H. Liddell-Hart's Strategy as the FIRST and most important military book ever written--read this first THEN tackle Sun Tzu's Art of War. Together these are THE two most important military books ever written and for the impatient I will explain why. Hart explains through military history how warfare is a mental battle that is executed in the physical plane for a tangible result. Sun Tzu's thrust is the same--and its not just a gimmick or a ploy one uses by tacking onto a Western mindset of materialism or the like. The Eastern mind which Sun Tzu articulates does not see war or conflict as "good" or as a means to an end. Its in a fascinating way, a view that is more Judeo-Christian than the so-called Protestant reformation-based West's concepts of positional warfare and a climactic battle as a form of a nation-state duel that justifies their existence (raison d-etre) in that Sun Tzu sees the highest form of warfare is AVOIDING IT by deception and psychological ploys that result in the enemy becoming your friend because war is a waste for everyone that practices it. Those that see Sun Tzu as an after-school karate class one takes to be a nice-to-have adjunct to an ends-justifies-the-means run-over-people-to-get-what-you-want Western mindset are "missing the boat" and reading the book at a very shallow, selfish level. These folks are really wannabe Samarai reading a book for quiet ninjas. Sun Tzu also goes on to show that the epitome of warfighting is NOT "prolonged operations, however brilliantly executed" but the General who can avoid war and ironically by so doing receives no glory or acclaim yet is the true hero of the people and the state. What this means is that today--in the 21st Century with the information warfare means available to us, we can for the first time execute Sun Tzu's vision better than ever before because we can bypass armies and bloody fights and reach the hearts/minds of the people themselves--if we are clever and moral enough to do so. If we think of Sun Tzu as a parlor trick, we will not have the morality to persuade the other person to join our side and the trickery of physical fighting will only yield a temporary victory as the enemy rebounds at a later date. Sun Tzu looks deep into the human condition, to understand him you have to do the same; the way of a ninja is more closely related to this kind of thinking than a samurai looking for public acclaim/attention. A true ninja today would use Sun Tzu to make the militaries of the free world more effective in 4th Generation War (See Van Crevald's The Transformation of War) and use all the customary battlefield tricks of indirectness and deception he talks about if these primary efforts fail. If you want to truly understand Sun Tzu, get your mind on the right boat to China and look deep into your condition as a human and put aside what he says as gimmicks.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasure to be read
Review: Few new things can be said about this milestone of human being thinking. 2.500 years ago, human being were surprisingly close to us nowadays. They faced up the same threats and gut feelings. Read this book, learn from men who had to face harsh situations and get lessons from them. Don't be mislead by the title. Its points of views about the nature of human being and the action courses derived from them are applicable to today's real life (business and life). Nevertheless, do not read this book as a manual, read it as a pleasure. Can you ask for something better?.
Rating: 
Summary: know your history
Review: the chinese have been basically lost every war they fought due to individual chinese selfishness (i.e. accepting bribes, misusing funds). i find it humorous that so many people actually buy this book, i guess they think it looks good on the library or in the office. whatever, read a history book instead.
Rating:
Summary: An enduring classic
Review: The lessons of Sun Tzu's classic book, The Art of War, may be applied to business just as easily as to war. In the course of fewer than one hundred pages, written over 2,500 years ago, this Chinese philosopher imparts a wisdom that is as applicable today (if not more so) than it was when the calendar read "BC." Like Machiavelli's The Prince, Sun Tzu's book captures certain aspects of human nature that appear to be timeless in nature.
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Summary: "Greed is good..." -0Gordon Gecko on Competition
Review: I originally bought my first copy of this book, when I was a teenager, after I viewed the movie "Wall Street." In the movie, Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglas) tells Charlie Sheen's character to read the book and learn from it. Now that I'm older I understand what he meant. The battlefield lessons provided by Sun Tzu - can be used in today's business empires. Many have called 'The Art of War' a Chinese version of Machievalli's 'The Prince." Both books provide a warrior/prince/manager/CEO with a way to think about problems and come up with dynamic solutions. This translation provides the work of Sun Tzu in a good translation, not great, but only good. Another positive aspect of this book is that it doesn't define what each passage means. It lets the reader determine the meaning and personally apply it to their life and situation. Give it a read, Sun Tzu does not disappoint and decide for yourself - what Sun Tzu wanted the reader to understand - don't be forced, as some books do, to allow them to tell you what Sun Tzu meant.
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Summary: A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY LIBRARY
Review: I have been a fan of this book for years, it is clear and to the point. This pocket version makes it simple for me to always carry a copy with me. I usually keep a few copies on hand to give out as last second gifts.
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Summary: Great Book, but a dated translation
Review: Sun Tzu's Art of War is great for anyone seriously interested in competition, but this is not the best translation. I have six different translations and the best are the most recent ones. Clearbridge's or Gagliardi's are the best paperback. Ames is best hardback. Clearbridge has a great site for studying Art of War if you are interested.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Handbook
Review: I'm in the construction business and (like many other professions I'm sure) I run into confrontational situations daily. "The Art of War" addresses every one of those situations and gives recommendations concerning the best ways to prepare yourself and make out with the best outcome for you. Never get in another test of wills without knowing how it will end. Sure it takes a little intellect to transfer these writing into applications for corporate America. But the truths contained in this book are timeless.
Rating:
Summary: Art of War
Review: It was an excelent view of how to not only fight a war and stratagem on the battle field but also a good way to conduct the government during the time of war. It also has many good ideas on individual leadership and the best concepts of leadership that I have ever read. I really recomend this book to all those who not only are students of history but for anyone who is just looking for a really good book to read.
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