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Summary: Many ancient principles still applicable today
Review: In this book, translated by Samuel B. Griffith, are what I would call Getting Ahead for Dummies. It's principles are applicable in any number of modern situations, be you a businessperson, a military commander, gamer, or just the average person. I myself am a big online gamer, and more than just a few times have I related the principles in this text to games. They have never failed me.Sun Tzu does not lay down a "this is the one and only way" strategy, but rather a comprehensive set of strategems that can be used individually, a few at a time, or all at once. Samuel B. Griffith also helps in the understanding of the text by including excerpts from various commentators in relation to the text. These comments outline uses for strategies that Sun Tzu outlines, and help with understanding the text by applying it in a different sense. I would reccomend this book for anyone who wants to get ahead in any way in life.
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Summary: Overrated and over-hyped
Review: This is a legendary book and has gotten a lot of play these days, from Wall St. to Hollywood types--including such notables as writer James Clavell. While I respect Clavell and am very familiar with the book, frankly, I don't see what all the commotion is about. The supposedly profound psychological principles that can be used to outwit your opponent, among many other strategems discussed, I found to be pretty elementary and not particularly astute. Perhaps for it's time this qualified as state of the art, but not anymore. Most of them are, or should be, pretty obvious. Sun Tzu's observations about military strategy also seemed of limited applicability today since they pertain to ground wars with very primitive weapons. For example, his point that one should obtain the superior vantage point and position from which to attack, while valid, would be understood today by the greenest officer just out of his military strategy and tactics course at the academy. There are some occasionally useful tidbits here, but overall, I suspect anybody trying to use these tactics in exactly the same way today in a confrontation with modern ground weapons wouldn't be a happy camper. To give just a couple of examples of this, in John Keegan's excellent book on the history of warfare, The Face of Battle, he points out that in the Battle of the Somme in World War I artillery accounted for 90 per cent of the casualties--not the infantry. The importance of artillery has continued to this day, something which didn't exist at all in Sun Tzu's time. As Keegan has pointed out, the first "modern" battle in the sense that it was the artillery that carried the day was in the 12th century Battle of Agincourt, where the much smaller English army using longbowmen decisively defeated a much larger French army, inflicting heavy casualties on the other side. Secondly, the greater speed, destructive power, and maneuverability of modern armies, especially in the case of mechanized armor, dictates that the overall strategy and details of ground engagements will be substantially different from those in Sun Tzu's time. (I could cite other examples, since we haven't even considered the advent of air power, but I'll leave it at that). The best way to appreciate this book is in the context of a classic that represented a high point in the military thinking of its time, but which has since been superceded. Basically this amounts to saying the work has historical value, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I wouldn't go too much further than that. Also (assuming the story is true), anybody who would behead two of the Emperor's most beautiful concubines because they giggled during a marching exercise for the Emperor is a real jerk and should apply for membership in the Nazi Hall of Fame (more like Hall of Shame). Finally, as seen from the editions of this book that purport to teach useful business principles derived from Sun Tzu's book-- westerners continually misinterpret Oriental classics like this and apply them to situations where they are not applicabl--and where even the Chinese wouldn't think of using them. Again, this is a book about war, and has very little relevance to business. You'd think people would have taken a clue from the title, "The Art of War." It's doesn't say, "The Art of Business." What part of the title didn't they understand? In fairness, I would sum up by saying Sun Tzu's book represents an important historical contribution, but it has been over- hyped far beyond its real worth to the modern reader, and inappropriately applied in other areas, such as business, where it has very little, if any, real relevance or value. (P.S. Perhaps I would find B. H. Liddell-Hart's or Camille Clauswitz's books more profound as classics on war, as I did Kegan's books? I may try reading them and see if I find them more interesting and valuable than the Art of War. I have read articles about both books over the years, and they do seem more impressive, but I haven't actually read the originals yet. If I do, I will post a review on them here, as with the Sun Tzu book. Hopefully, I will have something more positive to say on these two also venerable classics.)
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Summary: Ancient yet timeless wisdom
Review: For those who are unfamiliar with the general principles and the theory/purpose of war, the "Art of War" makes an excellent short read. The surprising thing about this book, written by a Chinese philosopher and general 2,500 years ago, is that it is just as applicable today as when in was written. The principles Sun Tzu outlines range from simple common sense, to sage advice, and his book is even today used by militaries in studying the theory of war. Significantly, Sun Tzu points out that the true purpose of war is to obtain peace and maintain safety, a thought that is often lost on modern society. He also breaks down various aspects of warfare, considering the usage of spies, tactics and strategy, battlefield terrain, and the necessity of discipline. Another nice feature of this book is the interesting anecdotes inserted by the editor James Clavell, which illustrate the various points made by Sun Tzu.
Rating: 
Summary: Relevant today--in warfare and everyday life
Review: "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu is a book that is just as relevant today as it was when it was written. Only now, life isn't as simple To some, things like careers, sports, and love are considered just as cutthroat as any conflict between warring nations. If one is willing to see their world in the simplest terms, there are no limits to the knowledge they can receive from studying this book.
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Summary: The Art of War
Review: The Art of War by Sun Tzu was written over two thousand years ago, but is still relavent to todays thinking. Comprehensive in depth of understanding and bringing the concentrated essence of wisdom on the conduction of war, but all apropos to business life of today. This book gives the reader a look into the Chinese mind and the philosophy, background, and paramount importance to the survival of the state. Not only from the battlefield, but ecomomical as well as political aspects...waging a successful war requires a firm grasp of the human, physicial and organizational factors involved as well. Understanding these, and controlling the constantly shifting interaction... will achieve victory. Like stacking the deck in a poker game, you control the outcome. The book contains lucid and cogent prose that are remarkable, clear and offer an acuity of intellectual and moral insights.
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Summary: can't say enough good things about this book
Review: Applying Sun Tzu is not obvious because it is book written thousands of years ago and it's not clear that you are necessarily "at war" in all that you do. Many of us have not even picked up a gun let alone engaged in a "war." But this book is far from war, and more like advice and wisdom on what to do with people who are less than honest. In the days of corporate accounting scandals, this seems commonplace. We are not in control of what they do (at least most of us are not that high on the food chain and must accept the orders of those above us to feed our families) so we must ask ourselves what we can do and how should we treat those that are out to deceive us. My favorite quote is "Know your enemy and know yourself." You have to know who you are working for, whether that person has any integrity, because if he doesn't, get out. I don't care how much money you are making in your career, it's not going to last if you're boss is dishonest. He will disown you whenever it is convenient and sell you downstream. It's just not worth it.
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Summary: The Master in out-of-the-box (indirect) thinking!
Review: The "Art of War"
Offers some timeless guidelines for unconventional thinking, if only to recognize devious maneuvers from others and how to prepare against them. However, if you are looking for a translation that pinpoints to business application, I suggest you another copy, as this "generic" translation left me scratching my head at times... To sum up: "Art of War" is a classic and definitively a read...But please remember: The biggest objective, according to Sun Tzu, is always to win without fighting.
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Summary: IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A STONE-AGE WARRIOR WROTE----
Review: ---A BOOK THAT IS STILL IMPORTANT TODAY!!! But that's because some principles are universal. Like the basics of fighting a war. The only reason I picked up THE ART OF WAR, was because I saw it on the George Wythe College all-time great books list (those that would be good to read if you want to have a great education). I am a very busy person, but I couldn't put this book down. It was TOO interesting! It helped me to underestnd basic military strategy. Much of it can also be used to learn some BASICS OF HUMAN NATURE.
--George Stancliffe
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: Before buying this book, I reccommend you go to search engine like Google.com and type in "Art of War Sun Tzu." You will find the body of the famous doctrine easiliy. Read it over, and if you are still interested, then buy the book to have as a reference (in order to really learn this stuff you will have to read it repeatedly) and to learn about the historical background. It is an awesome book if you are into this stuff, but if you are just looking for a good summary and general idea, go to the web.
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Summary: WAR!
Review: This is an instruction manual on how to wage war in real life. Some people say it's wisdom is applicable to office life, and sporting events, but that is not the way it was written and in no way does the entire book make a good anology to either. It's about war.
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