Rating: 
Summary: A Superb Translation Of An Ancient Classic
Review: This Review refers to the paperback edition of The Art of War as translated, introduced by Samuel B. Griffith and forwarded by B. Liddell Hart.The Art of War, by Sun Tzu (a.k.a. Sun Zi), is a timeless military treatise dedicated to the introduction of key military principles and activities. The book encompasses diplomatic procedures as well as military matters, and encourages peace over war. Despite these encouragements, however, the book goes on to explain the ins and outs of conducting proper warfare, much of which still being applicable in modern times. Also included in this version is an extensive introduction to who Sun Tzu was and the times he likely lived in, a brief history of The Art of War's influence and production in other countries, commentaries on the text (some of which by Chinese titans such as Ts'ao Ts'ao (a.k.a. Cao Cao), and Wu Ch'i's 'Art of War.' The Art of War provides the basic principles of the proper way to wage war as well as how one should deal with the differing variables that they will inevitably confront in such an instance. The work provides explanations for how to keep morale up as well as for how to keep the army properly organized. Many of his suggestions and explanations are also applicable to topics other than war, although recently there have been certain literary works that take it a bit too far. There is also a wealth of historical information provided (by both the treatise and the introduction) concerning how the ancients viewed and conducted war. Griffith's translation is far superior to Giles's translation, and is a translation that is better than most when it comes to the translation of Chinese texts. The commentary is essential in clarifying the aspects of the verses in question; however, the commentary's placement gets in the way at times. Griffith's translation presents the text in numbered verses and is a properly organized interpretation. Griffith's literary style both in his translation and in his introductory work is generally quite good, although there is a bias towards certain opinions concerning Sun Tzu and his questionable existence. The commentary can be cumbersome, but is generally decent clarification (perhaps the commentary can be in a separate column in future editions). Despite the commentary the translation is, by far, the best translation I have come across. Overall, The Art of War is probably the greatest ancient (and possibly greatest all-time) military treatise to reach production. The Art of War is a classic and should be standard reading for the military personnel of any country.
Rating: 
Summary: The art of paying attention
Review: Written over 2.500 years ago this book continues to be victorious in time. There are obvious reasons for this. Applying philosophy on warfare to name one. Applying knowledge of human nature to achieve your goals to name another.
The fact that many people recommend this book on matters other than warfare is one more compliment to it.
Sun Tzu uses a mix of "know thy self"-"know your enemy"-"understand reality" to put together his philosophical thesis on war. It's a very indicative reading of Chinese philosophy indeed, as it is based on meticulous observation. Most of the Asian philosophies are based on the principle of "attention" and this evident on Sun Tzu's book as well.
The author goes into an array of detailed "instructions" which go beyond the surface and deal more with anticipation, with being ahead like one would in a chess game.
Strategy, cunning, fooling the opponent, anticipating disadvantageous situations, seeking favorable conditions and trying to create them, are all major themes of the "Art of war".
It has been claimed that at certain points the book becomes a tough cookie to swallow mainly because of the difference in midset between Asians and westerners but it is a very rewarding book in the end. It does apply in everyday life especially when one considers the hardcore competitive societies that we have the misfortune of living in today. I doubt the author wanted his book to be thought of in that way but that's another story.
Up there on the list of classic philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for anyone interested in strategy
Review: I first read Sun Tzu "The Art of War" when I was 25 years old. What I found most useful about this book is the whole concept (Chinese/eastern) of "winning without fighting is best." This is how we were defeated in Vietnam, by Vietnamese communist forces who had been heavily influenced by Mao Tse Tung's ideas on communist guerilla warfare. And much of Mao's ideas on warfare was based upon Sun Tzu. Many westerners have trouble conceptualizing this "winning without fighting" mentality...its truly Chinese. To most Americans and Westerners...this is abstract thinking. But very intelligent thinking. In Vietnam, America militarily dominated yet lost the war because of divisive and conflicting attitudes on the homefront. America won most physical battles in Vietnam, yet still lost due to the loss of political support for the war at home. This is PURE Sun Tzu "winning without fighting is best" strategy. The negative experience of Vietnam lasted a long time after the official end of the conflict as well, thus aiding communist objectives of winning without directly militarily confronting the West if at all possible. The negative Vietnam experience created a lot of internal division within the United States and this was an intended strategy of the Asian communists. PURE Sun Tzu! This book will help you understand how the communists wished to defeat the west, not thru direct physical military confrontation but thru the "winning without fighting" mentality which IMO most Americans still cannot comprehend. And probably never will be able to, as its a purely Asian approach to war. The opposite of Sun Tzu would be Clausewitz's "On War."
Rating:
Summary: Deciphering the Art of War
Review: I will never tire of reading and using The Art of War to learn about myself and how I can improve - even just the little things. I don't claim to have nearly exhausted the value it can bring me. Read it in the contexts of how you interact with family, friends and of course work- yesterday, today and tomorrow - your "superiors", staff, peers and customers. Take some notes, re-read over & over again, maybe read components out loud to yourself. Perhaps it is easier to read if you only try to digest it in small bites as it might frustrate (certainly had that effect on me). There is value in reading it over time with someone else - much like playing chess by correspondance. Each move (page) can be savoured that way. Overall, like most things, you will get out of this book what you put in. It is quality time with your thoughts - enjoy it - you owe it to yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: exotic, obsolete, and advice for doing business??
Review: Americans have always shown a blind tendency to think the Chinese culture is wise and misterious. No wonder such book found its way onto the market--even its title implis a sense of wisdom and mistery. With such "wisdom" of war, the Chinese failed to win a single war against almost any intruder over the past 2000 years. Indeed they won some battles once in a while, but even with overwhelming population and productivity, the Chinese had been defeated and often ruled by Mongolians, Manchurians, British, and Japanese, to name just a few. Moreover, business today is more about creativity than undermining the competitiveness of rivals through cheating, conspiracy, and extortion. This book sure has historical value but I wonder if those who claim that it's full of valuable advice for the war and business today are sincere.
Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: This is a silly little book. I suspect that it is popular because of the Michael Douglas character in that movie..."Wall Street"? There are some clever little sayings of advice. I would not base a whole strategy, be it war or business or life, on it though. "No town should be attacked which, if taken, cannot be held, or if left alone, will not cause any trouble." (page 37) Brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: The Art. The Philosophy.
Review: The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a timeless classic. It is everything anyone ever wanted to know about the art of war and the art of leadership from a practical point of view. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the subject. And, if you are really interested in this subject, I would also recommend Norman Thomas Remick's easy read on the philosophy behind all of Sun Tzu's great information (from a viewpoint of Western civilization), "West Point: Character Leadership Education....From The Readings And Writings Of Thomas Jefferson"
Rating:
Summary: Good translation
Review: Cleary is a wonderful translator, who brings books alive. Also, the book itself is a wonder of military theory, and the general principles behind it are still of value.
Rating: 
Summary: Timeless Classic
Review: Ah... the absurdity of it! Poor me reviewing the great work of Sun Tzu... Three stars! Take that! Salesmen & marketers, read Sun Tzu.
Students of war & engineers, read Clausewitz
Rating:
Summary: A clear and useful translation
Review: The Art of War is a military classic, written around 400 BC. However, because the maxims contained in the book are so succinct and universal, this is still a useful book for understanding and waging war today. The central themes are to attack where the enemy is weak, deceive the enemy into attacking you on your terms (not his), and the use of espionage to confuse the enemy while gathering information for your own use. This book is a classical, scholarly translation. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the translation, as I do not read Chinese. However, the translator sprinkles the text with footnotes to explain why he has chosen certain phrases that do not directly translate, and offers alternative explanations from other translators. Therefore, you get a good feel for what Sun Tzu originally meant, especially through the critical inclusion of selected commentaries. In addition, there is an introduction by the author on the history and background of the text, which are useful. There are also some comments on the influence the text has had, especially on Mao Tse-tung and on the Imperial Japanese forces through World War II. Therefore, I certainly recommend this translation for a first-time reader such as myself.
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