The Art Of War

Although Sun Tzu wrote this manual on the rational planning and conduct of military operations over two millennia ago, today's scholars and Chinese generals still consult it. U.S. Marine Corps general and historian Samuel B. Griffith prepared this fresh, full translation from the Chinese.

"The hottest new book of Oriental philosophy is more than 2,400 years old. The tactics of war taught by Sun Tzu can provide a guide as helpful in getting ahead as any of the 'Looking Out for No. 1' genre of pop psychology and positivism." (The Los Angeles Herald Examiner)

The Art of War is the Swiss army knife of military theory--pop out a different tool for any situation. Folded into this small package are compact views on resourcefulness, momentum, cunning, the profit motive, flexibility, integrity, secrecy, speed, positioning, surprise, deception, manipulation, responsibility, and practicality. Thomas Cleary's translation keeps the package tight, with crisp language and short sections. Commentaries from the Chinese tradition trail Sun-tzu's words, elaborating and picking up on puzzling lines. Take the solitary passage: "Do not eat food for their soldiers." Elsewhere, Sun-tzu has told us to plunder the enemy's stores, but now we're not supposed to eat the food? The Tang dynasty commentator Du Mu solves the puzzle nicely, "If the enemy suddenly abandons their food supplies, they should be tested first before eating, lest they be poisoned." Most passages, however, are the pinnacle of succinct clarity: "Lure them in with the prospect of gain, take them by confusion" or "Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability is in the opponent." Sun-tzu's maxims are widely applicable beyond the military because they speak directly to the exigencies of survival. Your new tools will serve you well, but don't flaunt them. Remember Sun-tzu's advice: "Though effective, appear to be ineffective." --Brian Bruya