I read this book on the Ukrainian language. It's pretty small book, but it keeps a lot of not only military wisdom but hacks for common standard life as well. 5 stars from me to this book

Understanding the ground you're standing on (strategically) is a paramount concern of Sun Tzu's treatise on The Art of War. This ground (and the moves and countermoves you can make from it) can be interpreted not just as advice on combat, but also on business and relationships. This is book I've known about for a long time. So I'm glad I got to read it, but I'm not sure it inspired me to action or to think differently about the world. Maybe that will come later.

Bunu sonunda bitirdiğime inanabiliyor musunuz? Ben inanamıyorum. En sonunda dnf olarak işaretlemek durumunda kalacağımı düşünmüştüm. Kitabın yarısının altını çizmiş olabilirim, emin değilim.

Okumam neden bu kadar uzun sürdü bilmiyorum gerçekten, oysa bunu beraber okumayı umduğum arkadaşım bir günde bitirmişti.

Sun Tzu's The Art of War is said to be the oldest military treatise in the world. Written centuries before the height of the Chinese empire before the common era, this slim volume did not make its way to the west until 1890, when French colonists brought a copy back to Paris. Regarded as classic by many, I decided to read the treatise for myself. Selecting an edition translated by Lionel Giles, the version I read was a mere 98 pages in length and at times underwhelming.

The first forty pages of the volume I selected was a whirlwind of a rundown of over two thousand years of Chinese history. Not much quantity was given to any particular dynasty or time period, and it seemed as though this introduction was written for a high school text book. It was difficult to keep dates and names straight, and the only significant item that stood out was the construction of the Great Wall and its subsequent expansion. The only saving grace of this introduction was a timeline that contrasted eras of history with Chinese dynasties and their contributions to both Chinese and world history. While I found out that the origins of foot binding occurred nearly one thousand years ago, this historical footnote did little to benefit the actual text and its place in literary history.

Perhaps the edition I read is dated. Currently many western schools teach Chinese to children as young as six so by the time that they are adults, these children turned adults are fluent in Mandarin. Likewise, as China has opened to the west, educated Chinese have knowledge in English. Unfortunately, I was at the liberty of what was available at my library system, and a modern, more fluid translation was not available to me. While it is apparent that Giles has knowledge of Chinese, at times it was hard to follow whether the words were Giles' insights or Sun Tzu's words. Including numerous examples of modern warfare to augment the text, Giles does not give justice to Sun Tzu's original intent. While these examples lend credence to how the Chinese military treatise has been implemented over the years, I was more interested in the original text than the interpretations of it.

Tzu's actual text is limited due to the translation. It does offer advice to militaries as to how to implement battle plans. These include the knowledge of terrain, the season in which to invade, and knowledge of one's enemy and how to overcome one's deficiencies. Giles takes liberties in discussing why certain chapters are included where they are, and I give him credit for taking the time to discuss the Chinese tradition of honor and killing oneself if a soldier committed an error of warfare. I found this especially intriguing in terms of spying and what an honorable Chinese soldier would do when either caught by his enemy or when having failed to deliver information to his superior. As one who enjoys reading about and watching films about modern espionage, I thought it was fascinating that the Chinese had developed rules in regards to spies over two thousand years ago.

The Art of War has been utilized by armies for over two centuries. The fact that it has endured is a testament to Chinese culture and traditions that have remained unspoiled over the millennia. I feel as though I would have enjoyed the treatise more if I had read a more modern version where the translation was seamless and did not indulge on the liberties of the translator. As a result I found myself reading more of the translator's interpretations and addendums than the actual text. I would be interested in reading an unspoiled edition of this classic as it remains relevant in warfare today.

3 stars, downgraded for translation

This book should be read in high school, and then again in college, and then again at the start of every new job or lifestyle change. The information it contains is useful for every stage in your life, over and over again. The information is useful in order to create long-term strategies, but also to fortify your defenses. The best offense is a good defense. This book will clue you into what’s out there waiting for you. People are sneaky and malicious. Sun Tzu discusses almost every shitty situation you will encounter. Consider Sun Tzu your mensch, your therapist, your life advisor. How cool is that?

Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ= The Art of War, Sun Tzu

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Spring and Autumn Period (roughly 771 to 476 BC).

The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu ("Master Sun", also spelled Sunzi), is composed of 13 chapters.

Each one is devoted to a distinct aspect of warfare and how that applies to military strategy and tactics. For almost 1,500 years it was the lead text in an anthology that would be formalized as the Seven Military Classics by Emperor Shenzong of Song in 1080.

The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare. It has a profound influence on both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy and beyond.

عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «هنر جنگ»؛ «هنر جنگاوری»؛ «آئین و قواعد رزم سون تزو مشهور به (هنر رزم سون تزو)»؛ «هنر رزم»؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ انتشاراتیها (قلم؛ موسسه فرهنگی هنری بشیر علم و ادب؛ فرا، سایپا دیزل؛ سازمان فرهنگی هنری شهرداری تهران؛ بعثت؛ کاروان؛ قطره؛ سیته؛ روزگارنو؛ آوای مکتوب)؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز شانزدهم ماه آگوست سال 1995میلادی

عنوان: هنر جنگ؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ حسن حبیبی؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، انتشارات قلم، 1364، در ؟؟ص، موضوع: علوم نظامی، جنگ و جنگاوری، فن جنگ متون قدیمی از نویندگان چین - سده ششم پیش از میلاد

عنوان: هنر جنگ؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ بازنویسی: جیمز کلاول؛ مترجم: آیدا دریائیان؛ به اهتمام: سعید پورداخلی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، موسسه فرهنگی هنری بشیر علم و ادب، 1380، در 93ص، شابک 9646818811؛

عنوان: هنر جنگاوری؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ مترجم: علی کردستی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، فرا، سایپا دیزل، 1383؛ چاپ بعدی سازمان فرهنگی فرا، 1387، در 143ص، شابک 9789647092340؛ ترجمه از متن انگلیسی با ترجمه ساموئل گریفیث

عنوان: آئین و قواعد رزم سون تزو مشهور به (هنر رزم سون تزو)؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ مترجم: محمدهادی موذن جامی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، سازمان فرهنگی هنری شهرداری تهران، 1388، در 100ص، شابک 9789642381876؛

عنوان: هنر جنگ؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ عین الله عزیززاده فیروزی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، بعثت، 1387، در 116ص، شابک 9786005116052

عنوان: هنر رزم؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ مترجم: نادر سعیدی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، کاروان، 1388، در 103ص، شابک 9789641750369؛ در چاپهای بعد نشر قطره در سال 1389؛ با شابک 9786001191527؛

عنوان: هنر جنگ؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ محمود حمیدخانی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، سیته، 1392، در 128ص، شابک9786005253214؛

عنوان: هنر جنگ؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ محمدصادق رئیسی؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، روزگارنو، 1392، در 120ص، شابک9786006867342؛

عنوان: هنر جنگ؛ اثر: سون دزو؛ حامد ذات عجم؛ مشخصات نشر تهران، آوای مکتوب، 1393، در 80ص، شابک9786007364192؛

این کتاب «سون دزو»، در زبان چینی (سونتسی بینگفا)، خوانده‌ می‌شود؛ و به معنی «شیوه‌ های جنگی»؛ یا «روش‌های به کارگیری نیروها» است؛ این کتاب نخستین بار، در سال 1722میلادی، به زبان «فرانسه»، برگردانده شد، و این نخستین باری بود، که این کتاب، به زبانی «اروپایی»، برگردان می‌شد؛ نام این کتاب در ترجمه ی «فرانسوی»، «هنر جنگ» نامیده‌ شد؛ کتاب، یکی از خواستنی‌ترین مجموعه‌ های جنگی، در طول تاریخ، بوده‌ است.؛

چینیان باستان، شیفته‌ ی این کتاب بودند، گفته شده، که «مائو تسه‌ دونگ»، و «ژوزف استالین»، هر دو، در هنگام جنگ، این کتاب را می‌خوانده‌ اند.؛ از هر نظر، «سان تزو»، به عنوان یکی از اسطوره های استراتژی‌ پردازان است، از دیدگاه «سون دزو»، ایجاد عدم تقارن در جنگ، کلید پیروزی خواهد بود؛ به نظر ایشان، ایجاد و یا کشف عدم تقارن‌ها، و عدم تشابه‌ ها، بین طرفین درگیری، در نهایت، منجر به پیروزی خواهد شد، تنها مهم این است، که چه کسی، سریع‌تر به این عدم تشابهات پی ببرد، و یا چه کسی، سریع‌تر، از این عدم تشابهات، بهترین بهره‌ برداری را، در صحنه ی نبرد، یا دیپلماسی ببرد؛ «هنر جنگ» را، می‌توان به عنوان نمونه ی بسیار خوبی، از آموزه‌ های جنگ نامتقارن، یا حداقل تعریف مشخص، و روشنی از «جنگ نامتقارن»، در دوران کهن، به شمار آورد.؛

نخستین نکته‌ ای که «سان تزو»، روشن می‌کند، این است، که نامتقارن‌ها را، می‌توان در ابعاد، و حوزه‌ های گوناگون یافت، و یا، آفرید؛ ایشان باور داشتند، که در حین درگیری، ابعاد «سیاسی»، «دیپلماسی»، «اقتصادی»، و «روحی»، حذف نخواهند شد، و در واقع، برای توجه نشان دادن تنها به یک روی سکه در جنگ، که همان بعد ویژه ی نظامی منظورشان است، هشدار می‌دهند

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 26/08/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 06/07/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

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.

4 ☆

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

There are thousands of editions of The Art of War. That's due to approximately 2,500 years elapsing since this strategic and very methodical treatise of war tactics was first written down.
n  

n    He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish. n  

n
General Sun Tzu laid out the entire process beginning with the crucial need to make plans, to consider one's resources such as the caliber of the troops and lower-level leaders, to factor in the inflationary aspect of war, and down to formulating battle tactics based upon terrain and climate. He scrutinized himself as well by identifying the shortcomings in a General which would lead to defeat.
n  

n    The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.n  

n
And as a fan of espionage novels, I was pleased to see the wily General's advice about human intelligence (or "humint" in military vernacular).
n  

n    What enables the wise sovereign and the capable General to strike, conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men is foreknowledge. ... Foreknowledge of the enemy's plans and dispositions can only be obtained from other men. From spies.... No Soldier is closer to a leader in the whole army than his spies. n  

n
Given its existence for 2+ millennia, I was long overdue to read this for myself. And with counsel such as this n  

n    in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunityn  

n it's no wonder that others have sought to profit by applying his military thinking to business competitions and similar situations. If you only want to read Sun Tzu's words, there are books that have been pared down to as few as 70 pages. I chose an audiobook narrated by Chinese-American actor B.D. Wong and that focused on the author's original intention of warfare. Sun Tzu's treatise was supplemented by additional anecdotes and lessons, including one snippet from General Colin Powell. Perhaps apocryphal but certainly memorable was the tale of Sun Tzu's demonstration on how to maintain discipline within the troops; his lesson led to the executions of two of the emperor's concubines for their failure to maintain order within their "squad." Tzu's treatise is sound and I can easily see why it is still taught in military strategy classes today.

I read this with buddies from the Non Fiction Book Club --https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... -- and ended up doing a mini study of military strategy and governance.

My review in English first then in Arabic - مراجعة بالانجليزية يليها مراجعة بالعربية
The arts of war, a new field i did not read in it before, sometimes I felt that I am reading a plan of offensive football team ! And at other times i felt like I am reading women's plan to provoke its neighbor! :) It is comprehensive book about the wars that we face in our lives in general;>
*****
تلك اول مرة أقرأ فيها عن ذلك النوع من الفنون ! شعرت أحيانا و كأننى اقرأ خطة هجومية لفريق كرة قدم ! و احيانا اخرى و كأنى أقرأ خطة نسائية لاغاظة جارة شريرة ! :) اظن ان الكتاب يتحدث بمنحى فلسفي عام قد يشمل في بعض جوانبه جميع اشكال الحروب التى نواجهها في حياتنا عموما ! :) ، .. ايضا ماجاء في الكتاب بشكل عارض عن التجنيد الاجبارى و التعامل المزرى و الغير انسانى مع المجندين وقع عندى على خط التماس مع ماقرأته سابقا في (طبائع الاستبداد) للكواكبي و أكد لي على معناه و مبتغاه عن العبودية التي يؤسس لها ذاك النوع من التجنيد

Years ago, I wanted to lose some weight, and I started a 60-day challenge. When I was at work, I was sure to tell a certain co-worker my goal. Why? Was he my friend? No way. I detested this guy. He was so disrespectful, talked over me, and lied. But I used that to my advantage. Because once I told this gentleman my goal there was no chance that I was going to let him see me fail.

Oh to have a great enemy!

The Art of War has several different translations. Some of them are better than others. Originally, I checked one out of the library (the Peter Harris translation), but I couldn’t get an audiobook to match that particular text. I ended up buying a copy from Amazon (the Lionel Giles translation) and an audiobook. However, I liked the original version from the library better.

This book offers 13 lessons for war. However, most of them are extremely repetitive. They usually boil down to some version of attack your enemy by surprise and think before acting.

The Poppy War seemed to have a better and more engaging discussion of strategy.

This book is a bit outdated because so much has changed since 5th century BC.

For example….

Once upon a time, there was a library called the Troy Public Library. During the recession, the city didn’t have enough money to keep the library running so it asked for a very slight tax increase. However, one political group went into overtime about taxes, taxes, taxes. The conversation became all about taxes and not about the library or reading.

The sweet, kind, loving, intelligent, and gentle library lovers had to come up with a plan to save the library. And quick. They made up a campaign, “Vote To Close Troy Library August 2nd Book Burning Party August 5th” Now, this enraged the Trojans, and the campaign reached the national level.

People turned out to vote 342% greater than projected, and the library was saved.

That’s how we do it in Troy.

2025 Reading Schedule
JantA Town Like Alice
FebtBirdsong
MartCaptain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
AprtWar and Peace
MaytThe Woman in White
JuntAtonement
JultThe Shadow of the Wind
AugtJude the Obscure
SeptUlysses
OcttVanity Fair
NovtA Fine Balance
DectGerminal

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Ένα βιβλίο που αναφέρει τακτικές και στοιχεία στρατηγικής για επίδοξους "στρατηλάτες"! Διάβασα πολύ ενδιαφέροντα πράγματα για τη διαχείριση των στρατιωτών, την αντιμετώπιση των διαφόρων συνθηκών, και πολλές αναλυτικές στρατηγικές για θετική έκβαση των μαχών! Ένα βιβλίο που σίγουρα το έχουν μελετήσει χιλιάδες στρατηγοί και αξιωματικοί πριν βγουν στο πεδίο της μάχης.

Μετά το ημερολόγιο της Άννας Φρανκ, και αυτό το βιβλίο δεν επιδέχεται βαθμολόγησης γιατί ουδεμία σχέση έχει με την λογοτεχνία.

It is hard to speculate that this book has been written for one single era...When you read it you realise it meant to stay and teach all the humanity, a book that needs to be taught in schools, teaching kids how to THINK....How it is SIMPLE to THINK....Now THAT`S somthing they don`t usually teach us to know when we are nothing but small lads....Such a damn complicate world :(

Here`s a small taste of what you may find in this small book :)
-----------------------
- According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one's plans.
- All warfare is based on deception.
- Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
- Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
- Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards.
- In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.
- It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.
- To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
- In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack — the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of manœuvres.
- Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
- Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
- The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
- Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
- Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.
- Manœuvring with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.
- If you march thirty Li with the same object, two-thirds of your army will arrive.
- Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy: — this is the art of retaining self-possession.
- Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.
- Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.
- When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
- Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point.
- Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare.
- In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to get over them quickly, without any delay.
- All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places to dark.
- When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
- If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”
- Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
- How to make the best of both strong and weak — that is a question involving the proper use of ground.
- Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.
- No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.
- Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.
- Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results. Spies are a most important element in war, because on them depends an army's ability to move.