The Complete Art of War The Art of War By Sun Tzu translated by Lionel Giles On War by Carl von Clausewitz translated by Colonel J.J. Graham The Art of War. The Art of War. The Oldest Military Treatise in the World. Translated from the Chinese, with an Introduction and Critical Notes. Lionel Giles, M.A.

I had studied military history and played wargames (real deal, war college style) for a couple of decades before reading Sun Tzu. Thermwood 91000 supercontrol manual. So for me a lot of the text came across as all too obvious common sense.

But this text provides insights beyond physical tactics and historical interest and has earned its durable international reputation: Sun Tzu wrote about battlefield strategy, but also about campaign strategy, the economics of warfare, and the motives and morale of both soldiers and the politicians whose directives initiate war. This particular translation includes useful commentary referencing a variety of ancient commentaries, and draws comparison to more recent (. Civil War) referents. Anyone who wants to understand both literal warfare and 'moral equivalents to war' would be well served to study this text and dwell in particular on whatever parts seem counter-intuitive or nonsensical: That's where a given reader will find challenges and rewards. As a lifelong pacifist, I make it my business to study war with grim determination. The time to lay down that sword and shield and 'study war no more' is when we arrive 'down by the riverside.' Getting there requires the most complete understanding possible - and an educated appreciation of the fundamental distinction between force and violence.

Five star rating because the scale does not go any higher. Seems most reviews here on this work are just about formatting or some such.

This book, this work, is an English translation of recovered snippets of ancient Chinese script found on bamboo strips a couple of thousand of years old. (from well before the 20th C version of China) A time of many competing states mostly kingdoms after a sort, not a large and unified jurisdictional entity, such as we see in the early 21C. So don't expect simple clarity, on a first read:) None the less it still contains eternal truths guidelines and wisdoms. If I were setting up a backup up archive on say Mars this would be one of the texts I would would have engraved into the quantum level fabric of the data store:) A great treasure for all of humanity.

War, like it or not is a part of our continuum and this book is eventually about how to NOT do it. If you must do it do it well and efficiently. Know your enemy, know yourself and know your environment. In peace time prepare for war. During the war prepare for peace. Communications are paramount etc etc.

If you do (all) this well you wont need the nasty war bit. Just the present capacity to effectively engage in a conflict if you must. Don't tax the people 3 times etc. Still wise words even to this day. This text is still studied widely by military theorists, and so it should be, it one of the seminal works. Lessons for life just as much for war.

One of humanities most important works. If only for its window to a distant past.