Rating: 
Summary: Truths worth understanding
Review: The Art of War is considered a classic of military strategy, and is frequently rapplied in the business arena. Is it about the military, or achieving victory with the mind? Was Sun Tzu really a general? Did he really behead 50 maidens for not taking his military drills seriously? (The next 50 were more serious students - motivation!)Independent of the truth of the legend, the truths in this book are worth pondering. Take one piece of advice, roughly paraphrased as,
"Know thy self, win some of the time.
Know thy enemy, win some of the time.
Know both thy self and thy enemy, and win all of the time" At the surface, this is so obvious as to not be profound.
But look at it's applicability... How many companies worry so much about their competitors that they don't understand what they're good at? To defeat a corporate competitor, you must know your competitive advantage. How many people think, "This purchase is in my best interest, so I'll buy it" without considering the price. How many politicians are willing to say, "It doesn't matter what the Al Quada was thinking, it was wrong, so we must bomb them" How can we truly beat them if we don't understand them? There are literally hundreds of these truths to ponder - so obvious until you look at how infrequently they're done. This ancient wisdom is worth more than reading, it's worth understanding.
Rating:
Summary: Picking the best Sun Tzu
Review: If you're interested in understanding generalship or strategy Sun Tzu: Art of War is an essential. That said there is a serious question about which translation to buy. There are at least five widely avaliable English translations, based upon two different Chinese texts of the original,plus a comic book version. The translation by S.B.Griffith,Gen USMC,was for a long time the best/standard version. This is a good translation by a thoughtful soldier that would be a good selection. This translation was based upon the traditional or recieved version of the Chinese text.
In 1972 at an excavation at Silver Sparrow Mountain,Yin-ch'uch Shan, uncovered a tresure trove of Chinese texts that were older than any previously known versions. Among these texts was a version the Sun Tzu:Art of war that is nearly one thousand years older than the version the older translations are based upon. Translations based on this text are by the Denma Translation Commitee and by Roger Ames. If you want scolarship the Ames translation is the one for you. His translation covers the background,compares the texts and provides an excellent English translation. The Denma translation is intended to capture the flavor as well as the sense of the Chinese text. It intends that the students of war/strategy will their mind and their heart to their study of the text. Thus, the text is, like the original,more gnomic. As to its scholarship this version equals Ames. In fact,an extract from it appears in Columbia's Sources of the Chinese Tradition. If you're an academic: Ames,otherwise:Denma. Me,I own both.
Rating:
Summary: War And Leadership: The Art, The Philosophy
Review: I agree that "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu is a classic. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the art of war and leadership. And, for the philosophy behind all of Sun Tzu's great information (from a Western viewpoint), I think the easiest book to read is "West Point: Character Leadership Education...." by Norman Thomas Remick.
Rating:
Summary: Strategies for success
Review: Sun-Tzu called his book "The Art of War" but he might just as well have named it "The Art of Strategy". The book was written for military leaders, but its timeless insights into the nature of conflict and conflict resolution have made it an invaluable resource for politicians, executives, and managers on all levels, whether in business, government, or commerce. The psychology of conflict, knowing your adversary, knowing how to exploit his weaknesses for your advantage, and knowing how to win without wasting your own resources (to win without fighting) and accomplish the most by doing the least, is applicable to all human conflict situations, from the interpersonal to the international. Sun Tzu places equal emphasis on knowing one's self, and one's strengths and limitations. "The Art of War" is an excellent book about competition and conflict, and the strategies for successful management.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!....and the related Art of Wow
Review: As someone who's enjoyed the Art of War,
I couldn't help but be intrigued by the new book
Tao of Wow/Art of Wow. Here's an excerpt called
"The 45 Ways of Men" STUDENT: "Master, why do men do the things they do?"
WOW MASTER: Men do what they do because 1-2
Some men have come here to cause things to be
and ACTIVATE others to move
Some men have come with a SPIRITUAL goal
the existence of God they must prove 3-4
Some men have come here to fight for a CAUSE
through their deeds many others are fed
Some men have come to LEAD masses of men
and by them many masses are led 5-6
Some men have come to be makers of ARTS
to add beauty through word and through sound
Some men have come to wreak havoc in life
their goal to IRRITATE and confound 7-8
Some men have come here though simply to feel
their EMOTIONS are always their guide
Some men have come here as LONERS in fact
and seek always to withdraw and to hide 9-10
Some men have come here as JESTERS in court
content just to make others smile
Some men have come here as VICTIMS of sorts
and are here only for a short while 11-12
Some men have come to see future and past
and you'll know them as PSYCHIC or seer
Some men have come PERSECUTING the world
and cause others to live lives of fear 13-14
Some men have come here as WARRIOR strong
to do battle for country and king
Some men have come with an ARTISAN'S touch
their task here to build any thing 15-16
Some men have come here to take away pain
HEALING ailments of ordinary men
Some men have come here avenging all wrongs
and seek JUSTICE by sword or by pen 17-18
Some men have come ANALYZING all things
honing most a keen eye for detail
Some men seek out the responsible path
their sense of DUTY will always prevail 19-20
Some men have come to be PAWNS in a game
and let others dictate every action
Some men have come fighting TEMPERENCE it seems
and indulge to the point of distraction 21-22
Some men have come with a vow to be POOR
from them wealth doth seem always to flee
Some men have come here to FOLLOW and flock
and like sheep to a shepherd they'll be 23-24
Some men have come to accept men as they are
and show others the TOLERANT way
Some men have come to MANIPULATE men
so be wary of what such men say 25-26
Some men have come to save others from harm
to RESCUE the imperiled and lost
Some men have come here to DICTATE their will
and to control other men at all cost 27-28
Some men have come as a man among men
and in them do we all see PERFECTION
Some men have come here to feel they're not loved
and from all sides will they feel REJECTION 29-30
Some men have come with a bodily FLAW
an innate obstacle they must overcome
Some men have come to help men live in PEACE
and won't rest 'til their mission is done 31-32
Some men have come here as CATALYSTS still
here to set all great changes in motion
Some men have come seeking others in need
and then GIVE with a sense of devotion 33-34
Some men have come here with WISDOM in mind
seeking others whom they can teach
Some men have come with HARMONIOUS ways
showing love to all men whom they reach 35-36
Some men have come here as PREDATORS
here to make victims of those who are weak
Some men have come as SURVIVORS
prone to excel when conditions look bleak 37-38
Some men have come here to uphold the LAW
and make men to that letter abide
Some men have come with no certain intent
for too PASSIVE they are to decide 39-40
Some men have come to EXPERIENCE all things
and all manner of work they'll pursue
Some men have come here though simply to wait
with PATIENCE their chosen virtue 41-42
Some men have come here to SHOUT and be heard
pointing out where the world needs to change
Some men have come to feel pain and endure
PERSECUTION in all its full range 43-44
Some men have come here simply to LOSE
never pulling ahead of the rest
And some men have come here to WIN at all things
and show the world how to be at its best! 45
And some men have come as Wow Master
having walked all these paths once before
Showing all who would hear
how to live without fear
and the ways to unlock every door!
Rating:
Summary: The Art of Wow?
Review: Based on similar Taoist philosophy, the just-published Tao of Wow/Art of Wow, also available on Amazon, might be a great follow-up text for those interested in taking their success to another level!
Rating:
Summary: A classic must have book
Review: Reviewed by:
Timothy E. McMahon, M.S.
Principal Web Developer
The McMahon Group There are countless interpretations of Sun Tzu's classic treatise The Art of War. I've read several of these ranging from weighty scholarly treatments to lighter volumes of easier to digest materials. Of all of these, however, I chose this version as my favorite. Clavell has made Sun Tzu's message succinct and meaningful to anyone who might pick up this book. Lessons are applicable in the board room, on the golf course, and anywhere real-life rears its head. This work is usable by anyone in almost any strata of world society. When want to give a gift of lasting value to a close friend or colleague, this is the book I give.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Truths and Insight
Review: (I own ISBN#1566192978) Of course, most of us Amazon.com visitors do not command an army. And most of us will never be involved in war. But this timeless writing is one of the greatest revelations of human nature, both to understand the individual as well as organizing people in numbers. I can see that many, many others have discovered "The Art of War," but whenever I pick it up and breeze through a few pages, I feel as though I'm reading secret information that only I am privy to. No one I know has even heard of this book, yet here I am, able to tap the resources of this work and have an advantage over everyone I come in contact with. I'd say everyone needs a copy in their library.
Rating: 
Summary: Philosophy of war (and life ?) basics.
Review: I can't say that it was all new to me, having read LiddellHart's "Strategy".
Nevertheless, It's a great introduction to the philosolhy of war, and being the first, a basic read on the subject.
As life and business are, in a sence, comparable, it's also a great read for anyone. Great to read if you feel like you need that boost for your "warrior" spirit.
Fun and easy to read. Clear an afternoon for it and just sit down and read the whole book.
btw: It's probably a great sorce for quotations too...
Rating: 
Summary: A tiresome read, but worth it...
Review: This book is not exciting. It is written like a text book. I feel that it would be a good read for anyone that is getting into a competative business because it teaches you how to win. Sun Tzu discusses various strategies that one could use to achieve victory under many different circumstances. Again, only read this book if you are looking to learn something. Don't buy it expecting a casual read, because you will be dissapointed.
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