The Art of War

The Art of War is an enigmatic, ancient Chinese treatise prepared by Sun Tzu, an equally mysterious warrior-philosopher who served as a high-level military general and strategist. More than two thousand years old, it is a classic piece of work that reveals the otherwise rare and hidden military strategies and tactics based on Chinese warfare and military thought. The over-all focus remains on competition and conflict in general, on every level from the interpersonal to the international, which makes it viable for application in all aspects of modern life as well, including society, business, politics and human behavior. The book celebrates invincibility and unassailable strength in a true victor, through his understanding of the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict. The comprehensive translation by Giles, includes his extensive introduction, and the fully annotated text with explanatory notes and critical commentary, making the otherwise complicated text more accessible to the audience. The introduction is notable for its historical account of Sun Tzu's work, evaluations by and of early Chinese commentators, an essay examining the traditional Chinese attitudes toward war and a bibliography that details Giles' source materials.