The Art of War

Rating:
Summary: Good but there are better translations
Review: I agree with fellow reviewers that this is a classic for any situation or need... However, given Cleary's history of mistranslations (such as The Book of the Five Rings) I believe that a translation from a modern author of Chinese origin (maybe even another westerner- but I doubt it) who is fluent in both English and Chinese would fare better with readers. (I've seen one - unfortunately I forgot the author's name)

Rating:
Summary: The real LIFE war
Review: This book is a must read for everyone, regardless of preference, employment or background. For Sun Tzu every day was a battle, his whole life a war. This is the same for all of us. His genius can be used by all of us and should be required reading in schools, as far as I'. If you want to succed in life, enjoy life more or just relax with a excelent book, this is it

Rating:
Summary: The Art of War
Review: A good version of Sunt Tzu's masterpiece. This book teaches not only the art of war but teaches about the modern business world. This is a short version of the Art of War and is intended for people not interested in the military aspect of Sun Tzu's teachings, but great for the initiate

Rating:
Summary: A timeless piece of history written for the future.
Review: I cannot remember who introduced me to "The Art of War", but I know I could not hold onto the book for very long. Each friend I thought would benefit from the ancient words of Sun Tzu received a copy from me. I went through seven copies before buying the hard cover for my collection.

I found James Clavell's version quite difficult to find, but well worth it - due to clarity of reading and balance.

I tried reading Cleary's version, but could not get through the first chapter. However, I did purchase "Mastering the Art of War" by Cleary; finding it a better tour guide.

Clavell's "Art of War" offers tactical insight on overcoming an opponent whether it be war, work, relationships, or your own personal demons.

Sun Tzu created a timeless piece of history written for the future. I personally feel that today's society needs to look back, master the art of war, in order to repair the future.

Today I'm buying book #9 for a person who inspired me... I wanted to return the favor.

Rating:
Summary: TAOW - A true engagement of strategies, stardom & skills
Review: The true object of all war is peace & its requires supreme excellence of knowledge to dismantle enemies resistance without fighting, wiz-a-wig all kinds of intelligence, discipline, deviations - multi-dimensional factors dictate the matter of life, death and the road to , says Shiladitya 'Sunny' Ghosh in a book review of "The Art of War" edited and fore worded by James Clavell.

Very little seems to have changed since last 2,500 years when Sun Tzu, the great Chinese Philosopher wrote "The Art of War" with respect to philosophies of fighting wars. They are still driven by the law of Moral, Commander, Earth, Heaven and Methods of the Majesties commission. But what might have transformed lies in conditions & present resources of war.

Thirteen chapters of must enforceable laws & a foreword on the author Sun Tzu covers the entire spectrum of waging wars. From waging wars to the use of spies, intermingled brilliantly with tactics out of history this book has served as the stratagem guide to Napoleon & the Soviet political-military hierarchy, where it is obligatory bible for soldiers studying the art of war.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best
Review: This book is absolutely brilliant, and reading it is a tremendous experience. Sun Tzu is the master, and the Art of War, though aimed specifically on military warfare, is a masterpiece on general strategy and tactics that can be used in many sitautions. In fact, I will bet you that many of the most succesful sports coaches, boxers, businessmen, ploiticians, etc use tactics similar to those found in this book.

The Art of War is not a long book, but despite its size, it is totally packed with content. Some themes of the book include

- always ensuring you are prepared

- adapting and responding to circumstances

- knowing yourself, the enemy, and the environment

- being unpredictable, secretive, and deceptive

- making calculations

- exploiting opportunities

- avoiding your enemy's strengths, and attacking his weak spots

- causing disorder among your enemy

- using baits to manipulate others

- ensuring good teamwork through picking the right people to do the right job, good communication, and synergy

- knowing when to fight and when not to fight

The book is an absolute gem. It is invaluable and a must read. Sun Tzu has a beatiful style, and I really love the Lionel Giles translation, which although old, is still hihgly readable and among the best there is. I also recommend Rodney Ohebsion's tranlsation and selection and arrangement of passages, which is an adaptation of the Giles translation, and is in the book A Collection of Wisdom.

In summary, I would just like to say that The Art of War is definitely one of the greatest texts ever written, and is a must for the student of life.

Rating:
Summary: Cool...
Review: It is common knowledge that you cannot become a great warrior without mastering this work. There is combat in all aspects of life - from work to family and even when playing games. Its true that winning isnt everything, but of course losing is nothing. I read this because I want to be a trial lawyer and thought it would be fun to try to draw analogies between Sun-Tzu advice on the battlefield and that of the courtroom. It was surprisingly easy to do so. The snippets of wisdom can easily apply to other situations - much the same as how a horoscope can apply to any and all Capricorn's or Leo's. The general wording allows the reading to twist the advice to fit into their own life situation. I'm not sure that the reader truly learns any strategies they would not already know - but I found that reading this book puts the reader in a state of mind for combat and that in itself can be the path to victory.



Rating:
Summary: Classic Chinese Strategy Guide Applicable To Coaches!
Review: Many of you might be thinking, "Why in the world would I need an ancient Chinese Military Classic on my bookshelf?"

When a friend of mine suggested that I purchase this book, I asked myself that exact question. None-the-less I purchased the book and almost 100 pages later (because the entire book is just about 100 pages) I understood exactly why he had suggested it.

This treatise has applications reaching far beyond battle field ethics and strategy. For me, replacing the word "enemy" with "opponent" converts the book into a strategical synopsis for the field of sport. Sun Tzu lays out the ways and means to manage teams of people in straight forward simple language. This application reaches into politics, business, sport, and any managerial position.

I highly recommend this short, but critical read to anyone in a position of people management. This book will make you think about the strategies that you use in the command posts of your life.

Rating:
Summary: Most profound of all military thinkers, there are no better
Review: In the case of Sun Tzu, smaller is better. Other translations are packed with the commentary of people trying to explain what Sun Tzu meant. It is far better to study Sun Tzu and think for yourself first, then see what others had to say. Try not to overanalyze too soon or you will miss the simple yet profound insight of this most brilliant of military thinkers.

In it are the thinking of Hart's indirect approach, Lind's maneuver warfare, and Forrest's lightening raid and surprise. Do not underestimate the military insight in this small book.

Rating:
Summary: nothing new for those of us with experience
Review: This book is a 101 guide to being a good military strategist, if you already have spent allot of time researching Military Science such as I have then I wouldnt bother reading it because allot of it you will already know, but if you are a beginner in Military Science then I would recommend this as a first read, however I wouldnt purchase it because the book is so old it can be downloaded free of the internet.