|
| The Art of War | 
 enlarge | Author: Sun Tzu
Creator: Thomas Cleary
Publisher: Shambhala
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy New: $3.24
You Save: $3.75 (54%)
New (45) Used (20) from $3.08
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 1592
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.4
ISBN: 1590302257
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.02
EAN: 9781590302255
ASIN: 1590302257
Publication Date: January 11, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: 100% Brand New! - Ships Today! Identical to Amazon's book in every way. Flawless! Not a cheap Remainder or Book Club Copy! *We recommend Expedited Shipping option for much faster mail delivery
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Conflict is an inevitable part of life, according to this ancient Chinese classic of strategy, but everything necessary to deal with conflict wisely, honorably, victoriously, is already present within us. Compiled more than two thousand years ago by a mysterious warrior-philosopher, The Art of War is still perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world, as eagerly studied in Asia by modern politicians and executives as it has been by military leaders since ancient times. As a study of the anatomy of organizations in conflict, The Art of War applies to competition and conflict in general, on every level from the interpersonal to the international. Its aim is invincibility, victory without battle, and unassailable strength through understanding the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 An Excellent Translation of a Classic March 2, 2006
58 out of 60 found this review helpful
The Art of War seems to be a classic piece of Chinese philosophy that is easy to translate into a mediocre work. I've read a number of translations of Sun Tzu that are clunky and have none of the wit of the original text. Now, I don't read ancient Chinese, but when a Chinese philisophical text reads like a manual for a microwave, you know something is lost in translation.
On the other hand, this translation, done by Thomas Cleary, showed me the subtlety in the Art of War. In addition to the work itself (which would make a very thin book) there is a long, interesting introduction written by the translator which I found very helpful in thinking about the Art of War, as well as helping to put the work in both a historical context, and the context amongst many of the other ancient Chinese philisophical works. How Sun Tzu's work relates to Taoism is very interesting. Also, there are selected commentation on each of the paragraphs of the Art of War. These commentaries were written over different periods of time by different Chinese philosophers. These help to show how many different points of view can exist over a single statement made by Sun Tzu.
I find this translation very well done, and I can easily recommend it to anyone who wants to read The Art of War.
 Basics of warfare for 12 year olds November 26, 2007
4 out of 14 found this review helpful
Sun Tzu's the art of war is one of the most overrated books in terms of content. It is not that the writer is wrong about most subjects (though a lot is hopelessly outdated). The problem is that any 12 year old who has played with toy soldiers enough, could have written this book, without the fancy words or synonyms.
Don't attack when outnumbered, with the sun in your face etc etc. The very basics of battles, not even of warfare. True warfare, now and then, relies more on logistics with the battles being just a small part of war.
So if you are completely ignorant of battles and war and simple logic you can read this book and be satisfied. However if you are truely interested in the "art of war" then read the book with that same name from Machiavelli.
Comprehensive Translation of One of the Most Popular Chinese Classics August 12, 2007
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
The Art of War is a must-read book by anyone who love The Romance of Three Kingdoms, popular chivalry story based on the history of 3rd century China.
I think it is a wise idea to read this Chinese classic from Thomas Cleary Translation. Had I encountered this from Archaic worded Japanese version I might not get so immersed into it. Cleary translation is really understandable even to non-native English speaker like me. Also it is great idea that the interpretation of notables including Cao Cao comes after the Master Sun's text. Comparing interpretation is really a fun.
What I am impressed most about this book is it says that if you can avoid the war better not to fight. And its idea of how to manage an army is really close to modern idea of organizing groups particularly business corporations.
Verdict: Nice gateway to Chinese classics
Rating: 90 out of 100
Recommended for wide variety of Chinese literature and classic books fans.
The Ultimate Version of the Art of War August 23, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The Art of War is a timeless masterpiece of interaction of power and politics. It is about war and not war. This version is the one you want if you are interested in the simple, yet profound wisdom of Sun Tzu. I have tried several other versions edited and commented on, thoughts and ideas spun left and spun right by other authors. There is no spin here simple staright forward thought and principles.
The Art of War - Exact and Concise November 13, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have read several translations of The Art of War and Thomas Cleary's version is by far the best. It is a book to be read and reread, time and time again; focused, concerted and rich in understanding the nature and expression of resistance and conflict. Regardless of whether you are interested in deep confrontation, battle or war, this excellently edited edition will have something of interest for you.
Published primarily for use in world philosophy and studied at military universities and academies around the world, this book is very constructive in providing a well researched, diversion sampling from one of the most important theorists in the field, Sun Tzu (544 BC - 496 BC). Although the philosophies contained in this text can be challenging at times, in the end the perceptive is absolute.
As the seriousness of our global problems persist and even worsen, this book will continue to be a highly informative source of information for leaders and citizens for years to come. And for those who are looking for a more methodical approach to examining our relationship with the world, as opposed to the more publicized takes, this book will be especially valued.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
