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I would recommend this book for those who are interested in Chinese history, military history, and philosophy. Sort of like what Bruce Lee said, "absorb what is useful".
There were two people on this page, who gave the book low ratings. After reading what they had to say, I can tell you that they don't understand "The Art of War", or how to apply it to our life today.
I purchased this book at my local Borders Bookstore, and after reading the text, was very happy to have spent the price it is worth. Philosophy is meant to get the reader thinking and to take what was said and learned before and apply it to their life today.
You see philosophy isn't just books written to give you an easy path through life. No.
This means take what applies to your life, or what you can use in your life, and forget about the rest, it doesn't matter to you. No matter what you are interested in, you won't go wrong by buying this book.
This should be required reading for anyone over the age of 12. Buy it now, read it, and apply it in everyday life.
The nature of warfare evolved during the period. This is especially evident in the military tactics of 20th century revolutionaries like Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh. Sun emphasizes rational self-control, influenced by Daoist teachings throughout the book.Chap 1-Laying Plans18. The thesis of Sun's work is one should employ an army after a thorough analysis mandated by careful planning and the formulation of an overall strategy before embarking on a campaign. Sun Tzu scholars place his writing "The Art of War" in the Warring States Period, based on the descriptions of warfare in the text. With the advent of swelling ranks of soldiers, protracted sieges, and an ever increasing drain on state treasuries, warfare became a serious matter for study.
Thus, the opening remark of "The Art Of War" states--without exaggeration--war had become the most serious business of the state, the key to survival or ruin. The author of this and other pithy aphorisms on how to successfully fight a war was Sun Tzu. The Warring States period Warring States Period 475-221 BCE is a history of constant warfare, of alliances and counter-alliances, and of treaties made and broken. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.Chap 6-Weak Points And Strong8. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese military figures have studied it and employed its concepts to good effect. The book is comprised of 13 chapters. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.The best translation is the Samuel B.
It has been reported that Napoleon studied the text and effectively put many of its teachings to good use. During the Warring States period, political stability was impossible to gain by adventurous military action. All warfare is based on deception. The book has received great exposure in the west starting in the eighteenth century after being translated by a French missionary. For the past 2,000 years, it has been the most important military treatise in all of Asia, even known by name with the common people. 19. Griffith edition
The nature of warfare evolved during the period. This is especially evident in the military tactics of 20th century revolutionaries like Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh. Sun emphasizes rational self-control, influenced by Daoist teachings throughout the book.Chap 1-Laying Plans18. The thesis of Sun's work is one should employ an army after a thorough analysis mandated by careful planning and the formulation of an overall strategy before embarking on a campaign. Sun Tzu scholars place his writing "The Art of War" in the Warring States Period, based on the descriptions of warfare in the text. With the advent of swelling ranks of soldiers, protracted sieges, and an ever increasing drain on state treasuries, warfare became a serious matter for study.
Thus, the opening remark of "The Art Of War" states--without exaggeration--war had become the most serious business of the state, the key to survival or ruin. The author of this and other pithy aphorisms on how to successfully fight a war was Sun Tzu. The Warring States period Warring States Period 475-221 BCE is a history of constant warfare, of alliances and counter-alliances, and of treaties made and broken. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.Chap 6-Weak Points And Strong8. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese military figures have studied it and employed its concepts to good effect. The book is comprised of 13 chapters. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.The best translation is the Samuel B.
It has been reported that Napoleon studied the text and effectively put many of its teachings to good use. During the Warring States period, political stability was impossible to gain by adventurous military action. All warfare is based on deception. The book has received great exposure in the west starting in the eighteenth century after being translated by a French missionary. For the past 2,000 years, it has been the most important military treatise in all of Asia, even known by name with the common people. 19. Griffith edition
This is a good read with many proverbs and sayings that are still applicable to modern times. Sun Tzu is vague, and it for that very reason that this book is ever-lasting.Also recommended: The 36 strategies, The book of five rings (Go Rin No Sho), and the Hagakure.
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