Ein ausgezeichnetes Buch, das ich nur weiter empfehlen kann. Eine hervorragende Beschreibung der Hauptkonzepte von Strategie und Taktik, die ein paar Jahrhunderte älter als die Bibel ist (VI-V AC) aber trotzdem heutzutage sehr aktuell ist. Das Buch beschreibt Grundlagen des Lebens, die uns philosophische Weisheit des Autors durch Jahrtausende bringt. ( )

Great read about war and how it is to be waged. ( )

If you've ever picked up a self-help book where the author is repeatedly stating the obvious, then you've experienced the writing style of this book. The overall concepts could've been summarized in a short essay rather than a book. Its length is a testament to its antiquity, though the author has done a noble job of re-ordering and editing bits of the chapters to provide continuity and to delete repetition.Oriental philosophy is often ripe with a kind of double-speak and this book is no exception.The main idea, covered ad nauseam, are that generals must be wise, adapt to changing situations, and maintain order.What people get out of this book is whatever they want to read into it. It was an alright read but, in general, the book is overrated. ( )

A valuable guide to the conduct of war. this classic of military strategy is indispensable to military personnel, history enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by competition and rivalry.

Good bookshelf book. Not really to be read in one go. ( )

(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally here.)

The CCLaP 100: In which I read for the first time a hundred so-called "classics," then write essays on whether or not they deserve the label. The Art of War is essay #27 of this series.

The story in a nutshell:
More of a technical manual than a piece of general literature, The Art of War is a field guide of sorts by famed Chinese military leader Sun Tzu, written it's believed sometime in the 6th century BC (during the period when China was coming together as a unified empire for the first time in history), as a way of instructing other commanders how to have as much success on the battlefield as he had had. (And please know that there's a debate among scholars as well regarding whether Sun Tzu even wrote this book by himself, or if like many other classics from antiquity this isn't in fact a sly compilation, gathering up the best thoughts back then from amongst a whole group of military strategists.) Now of course let's not forget that Sun Tzu was a Taoist as well, so of course his particular advice is going to be Taoist in nature, a very important thing to understand in order to really "get" this book; he sees the best war, for example, as the one that's never actually fought, because you've already dismantled the enemy's forces through sabotage and cunning to the point where they can't put up a resistance in the first place. And so it is throughout this extremely slim book (which in fact is more like a long magazine article) -- chapter after chapter of surprisingly spiritual text concerning the fine art of getting what you want, even when other people are actively trying to stop you from doing so.

The argument for it being a classic:
It's a 2,500-year-old book still being read and studied on a daily basis, argue its fans; what more do you want? And in the meanwhile, it's influenced nearly every Western military leader since first being translated into a Romantic language (French) in 1782, racking up a whole list of self-declared admirers from Napoleon to Norman Schwarzkopf. And if this weren't enough, starting in the 1980s it also gained a whole new life as a surprisingly apt if not Machiavellian guide to the corporate business world, best typified by symbol-of-yuppie-greed Gordon Gekko from Oliver Stone's fantastic movie Wall Street, who is constantly walking around quoting from it as a way to justify his monstrous, inhuman actions. If all of this isn't enough to safely consider a book a classic, ask its fans, what is?

The argument against:
The case against this being a classic seems to be one used a lot with books over a thousand years old; that even if that book turns out to be historically important (and it usually does), it might be better at this point to actually study the book and how it affected society, not read the book itself for pleasure anymore. Always remember, that's part of how I'm defining "classic" here in this CCLaP 100 series, is not just how important that title has been to human history, but also whether it's worth literally sitting down and reading it page-for-page yourself, no matter if you have any specific interest in that book's subject or not. If it's yes on the former but no on the latter, as critics of this book claim, then by my definition it's not a classic, but rather simply a historically important book that should be studied by the general public but not necessarily read.

My verdict:
So let me start by admitting how surprisingly readable this is for being 2,500 years old, and that it really does translate metaphorically to the business world surprisingly elegantly; after all, since it's a guide to war written by a Taoist, it's more of a symbolic examination of how to get out of life what you want the most, even in the face of tough opposition, with advice that is surprisingly relevant to the modern world even when he's talking about the mechanics of medieval Asian warfare. (Just for one example, near the beginning he talks in one paragraph about how a successful commander will literally steal the food of their enemy, both to sap the enemy's strength and to avoid the burden of having to carry all that food to battle themselves; this may not seem to have much relevance to the modern business world at first, until you stop and think about it in terms of stealing talent from your competitors, literally the intellectual "food" nourishing their "army" of goods and services competing against your own.)

That said, though, I think ultimately I'm going to have to side with the critics this time; that unless you're a military commander or corporate raider yourself, most people's eyes are going to quickly gloss over while trying to read this book, merely after the first few pages. Now, don't get me wrong, I definitely think this should be a primer for people who are getting into the profession themselves; this should for sure be a must-read not only for soldiers, for example, but also the politicians in charge of those soldiers' budgets. But this is a perfect example of the surprisingly complicated process of determining whether a book is a classic or not, the entire reason I started this essay series in the first place; because unless competitive strategy actually is your business, most people will find it more rewarding to spend their time reading up on how this book has affected history, and of the circumstances in ancient China that led to it getting written in the first place. There's really only one major lesson in The Art of War for a non-military general audience to get -- that most battles are won based on how well one can surprise the enemy, usually by deceiving them using their own weaknesses (to act incompetent when the enemy is haughty, for example, threatening when they're meek, picking them off at the edges when they outnumber you, destroying their supply lines when they're far from home); for those not interested in the nitty-gritty of how to actually accomplish such things, though, there's actually a lot more to be learned by studying how such a thing has been attempted over the centuries, making the book certainly important but not necessarily a classic.

Is it a classic? No ( )

I give it a 5 because it's a classic that you can read in under an hour. One of the best books I have read. Simple, basic, and a great strategy foundation. I refer to it all the time. Great book from a historical standpoint, but certainly is a great asset in business. ( )

The Art of War is a treasure trove of information...if you study war, ancient China, Strategy, or military history...it is useless when applied to business, I think. I love this text, but I study ancient Asian texts. Giles' translation is the one which all others are measured and it has the text with commentary and without, and in the original Chinese. As a study text this is superb, as a manual for business, it a weak application.

Miso ( )

The Art of War has been widely influential not merely in the China of antiquity, but in recent decades has witnessed a resurgence in popularity among Western military and business leaders. Undoubtedly, some of this popularity is due in part to what Edward Said called the “Orientalism” of Western perceptions of Asian culture and thought. This also highlights the need to avoid simply plucking pithy, fortune cookie-like aphorisms from the work, removing them from their historical context. Sun Tzu did not offer specific stratagems or techniques but rather attempted to develop a guide for the successful prosecution of a war. The Art of War offers a complete approach to managing all aspects related to war, from preventing them, to overseeing them, to winning victories. In Sun Tzu’s ideal, a skilled general or ruler would be able to subdue his enemy’s army without directly engaging it, take his enemy’s cities without the need for lengthy sieges, and overthrow his enemy without necessarily engaging in battle, though he acknowledges that this may not always be possible. Sun Tzu clearly recognized the need to take into account the overall context and environment – both physical and in term of the enemy’s actions – when planning and operating. Sun Tzu’s advice stressed the need to continually readjust one’s plans in reaction to changing conditions, rather than being locked into executing a pre-prepared plan. In this sense, Sun Tzu and Clausewitz very much agreed on the effects of “fog” and “friction” on warfare. In some ways, The Art of War differs most strongly from On War in Sun Tzu’s emphasis on deception in order to achieve concentration of resources at the decisive point, rather than amassing the largest number of forces at the decisive point as Clausewitz might have advocated. Sun Tzu recommended manipulating the enemy to fight on one’s own terms: “Thus, those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength.” This can still represent a kind of decisive battle, but one very different in nature from that sought by Clausewitz.

I have mixed feelings about this work, particularly in recommending it to others. There is some value in reading it, of course, but will it change your worldview or open your eyes to new ways of perceiving war? I doubt it. I suspect that some of its popularity is a bit faddish. I certainly don't see the value in that entire body of recent works purporting to transplant Sun Tzu's ideas to the world of business, or dealing with the local PTA, or whatever. Recommended, with reservations.

Review copyright 2009 J. Andrew Byers ( )

This book provides war strategies with historical background, can be used in different fields. Also useful for leadership rules and strategies.

you kind of have to read this, yah. so privately canonized. ( )

An interesting book, written with just short quips of information but it still seemed to flow rather seamlessly. A decent book with some good info, some of it could be still used today some of it would obviously not apply anymore to today's wars. A good read, enjoyable, and really quick. ( )

Sun Tzu, a Chinese general who lived around 500 BC, wrote a collection of essays on the art of war. This Chinese classic is widely regarded as the oldest military treatise in the world.
The most basic of Sun Tzu's principles for the conduct of war is that "All warfare is based on deception". It emphasises the unpredictability of battle, the importance of deception and surprise, the close relationship between politics and military policy, and the costs of war. The ineffectiveness of seeking hard and fast rules and the subtle paradoxes of success are important themes. The best battle, says Sun Tzu, is the battle that is won without being fought.
Sun Tzu and his principles for the conduct of warfare have been the subject of serious study the world over. The Art of War has been popularized in business and management texts on account of its amazing relevance to the world of business, sports and diplomacy as well as to personal lives.
Sun Tzu is the most frequently quoted Chinese personality in the world today.

A marvelous guide for business and life. I have read and re-read the book and shared it with my children with great success. ( )

The Art of War is a wonderful, short, and classic read that looks good on any bookshelf. While it reads in the form of a short choppy manual it is well worth anyone's time. This book has, for good reason, found it's way into the hands of thousands... maybe millions of people since its original writing. ( )

"Westerners have dozens of books to choose from if they want to learn about Japanese philosophy and military tactics....But when the Japanese, especially those in business, want information on the subject, many turn to an ancient Chinese, not Japanese, military manual, The Art of War." – Boardroom Reports

This is a manual and reads like one. Better to take in very small doses, digest and discuss rather than to read continuously. ( )

I have the translation pictured in my list.
Acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine can often be found with a copy of this on our bookshelves.
Why?
Because one of the recurring analogies in our understanding of many diseases - is that of a hierarchy of participants - acting cooperatively, and effectively, or not - to expel an invader from the terrain or kingdom.

I dip in and out of this, rarely in a logical exploration, just smoozing around, looking for gems and useful advice and insights, particularly when I need to see somebody's condition from a different perspective.

I have also consulted The Art of War, when in conflict with my landlord - a bit like asking Yoda for guidance!

In my city, it's always in the business and management sections of bookshops; I'm surprised more lawyers don't keep it as a classic reference.

The trick is to know how to apply the ideas of the At of War, to one's own situation. ( )

The Art of War has been on my ‘to read’ list for a long time because it seems to be frequently referenced and I wanted to read the source of the hype. Sun Tzu’s lists of adages are grouped by topic into 13 chapters (see helpful overview at Wiki Art of War.The chapter titles are: 1) Laying Plans (Detail Assessment & Planning, Calculations); 2) Waging War (The Challenge); 3)Attack by Stratagem (Strategic Attack, The Plan of Attack); 4) Tactical Dispositions (Disposition of the Army, Positioning); 5) Energy (Forces, Directing); 6) Weak Points & Strong (Weaknesses & Strengths, Illusion & Reality); 7) Maneuvering (Military Maneuvers, Engaging the Force); 8) Variation in Tactics (Variations & Adaptability, The Nine Variations); 9) The Army on the March (Movement & Development of Troops, Moving the Force); 10) Terrain (Situational Positioning); 11) The Nine Situations (The Nine Battlegrounds); 12) The Attack by Fire (Attacking with Fire, The Fiery Attack); 13) The Use of Spies (Intelligence and Espionage, The Use of Intelligence).This is more a book to be studied and discussed, rather than read. I’ve never read a military strategy book and have no background to really judge this book’s value in the field, except to note that it appears to be an important text still used today in military training academies. For me, the book has the same feel of a business advice or self-help book, summarizing common sense observations/advice. It is not a page turner. Sections are repetitive and other sections I apparently don’t have the background to understand and will have to consult some secondary sources – should I want to pursue this further. Once I got used to the style of writing, I did find sections very interesting and relevant and am glad I took the time to slog through it.My first read of this book was a 4-CD version I found on sale. I listened to it while driving my kids to/from lessons. They found it boring. The reader, Joe Mantegna, does a good job. However, as I discovered, this is not the best book to first experience in audio format. It is better suited to an initial visual read. I ended up also reading it online at Sonshi.com and at Gutenberg Art of War and then re-listening. ( )

7.0

What can you say? Classic, either understand it or don't ( )

Clavell provides a brief but pointed introduction, noting that this is a reprint of the first English translation by Lionel Giles, 1910. Sun Tzu was translated into Russian centuries ago, and into French before Napoleon, in 1782. Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book of strategic doctrine used it almost word for word. Notes the emphasis on maneuver and on spies -- "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." [2]
Clavell himself used the work in his Noble House historical novels -- qv Taipan, Shogan.
The art of war is governed by constant calculation of five factors: Moral Law (the accord of the people with the ruler); Heaven (signifying times, seasons, weather); Earth (comprising distances, conditions of the ground); Commander (sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness); Method & Discipline (army divisions, ranks, supplies, expenditures).
Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of spies and control of "signals" -- press relations. "All warfare is based on deception." [11]
The arts explained by Sun Tzu contrast with almost all elements of the War in Iraq being prosecuted by Bush-Cheney and promised by Senator McCann. For example, Sun Tzu repeatedly emphasizes planned maneuver and timing: "In all history, there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare." [13]
Time -- being ahead of the opponent -- counts for more than numbers. Treat prisoners kindly - better to capture than kill. Find the supreme excellence of breaking the enemy, not by fighting, but by NOT fighting. The use of the Sheathed Sword.
The emphasis on "maneuver" over static force can be used by any size of combat unit--individual soldier to large army. But no part of the plan is more difficult the maneuver. Hence the study of deviation. [30]
Like Machiavelli, Sun Tzu illustrates his points with largely fictional but very clear examples that appear to be historical recitations. (He clearly writes for an emperor devoted to words rather than scholarship or action.)
Since ancient times, it has been known by realists that prosperity requires peace and peace requires strength for protection. And in Sun Tzu's words..."the true object of war is peace." ( )

The ultimate manual for armchair generals!! ( )

Korean translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War.

This audio book had Joe Montenga narrating the text.

It was pretty cool to have the Simpsons's Fat Tony quoting a 500 BC Chinese War Scholar.

(The analysis of the text was a real snooze-fest!) ( )