The art of war – Sun tzu

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

This is a complete edition which also contains Preface, Introduction, appreciations of Sun Tzu, Apologies for war and Bibliography.  Don’t be fooled by other versions as they are incomplete and are 50 page Bullet Points Pamphlets. This edition was translated by Lionel Giles, first published in 1910.

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Late Spring and Autumn Period (roughly 5th century BC). The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, is composed of 13 chapters. Each one is devoted to a different set of skills related to warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. For almost 1,500 years it was the lead text in an anthology that was formalized as the Seven Military Classics by Emperor Shenzong of Song in 1080. The Art of War remains the most influential strategic text in East Asian warfare and has influenced both Eastern and Western militaries thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond.

The book contained a detailed explanation and analysis of the Chinese military, from weapons and strategy to rank and discipline. Sun also stressed the importance of intelligence operatives and espionage to the war effort. Because Sun has long been considered to be one of history’s finest military tacticians and analysts, his teachings and strategies formed the basis of advanced military training for millennia to come.

Sun Tzu  (孫子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ) is an honorific title bestowed upon Sūn Wu (孫武 c. 544-496 BC), the author of  The Art of War  (孫子兵法), an immensely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu believed in the use of the military sciences to effect outcomes that would result in peace.

In the author’s name, Sūn Wu, the character wu, meaning “military”, is the same as the character in wu shu, or martial art. Sun Wu also has a courtesy name, Chang Qing (Cháng Qīng).