The Art of War

Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: Before buying this book, I reccommend you go to search engine like Google.com and type in "Art of War Sun Tzu." You will find the body of the famous doctrine easiliy. Read it over, and if you are still interested, then buy the book to have as a reference (in order to really learn this stuff you will have to read it repeatedly) and to learn about the historical background. It is very interesting if you are into this stuff, but if you are just looking for a good summary and general idea, go to the web.

Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: Before buying this book, I reccommend you go to search engine like Google.com and type in "Art of War Sun Tzu." You will find the body of the famous doctrine easiliy. Read it over, and if you are still interested, then buy the book to have as a reference (in order to really learn this stuff you will have to read it repeatedly) and to learn about the historical background. It is very interesting if you are into this stuff, but if you are just looking for a good summary and general idea, go to the web.

Rating:
Summary: I have no tactics,...
Review: One has to think very quickly to apply and interpret the Art of War. It is not a book for the light reader. It is alot like numbers. When one searches for a number one will find it everywhere. The precepts and theme of this book is to number one's steps in warfare, to know that there is always a limit to how many victories one may have in battle just as one's days are limited in this life. The best way to understand this book is to read it at least one thousand and one times in ones life, then one will have mastered the Art of War.

Rating:
Summary: I have no tactics,...
Review: One has to think very quickly to apply and interpret the Art of War. It is not a book for the light reader. It is alot like numbers. When one searches for a number one will find it everywhere. The precepts and theme of this book is to number one's steps in warfare, to know that there is always a limit to how many victories one may have in battle just as one's days are limited in this life. The best way to understand this book is to read it at least one thousand and one times in ones life, then one will have mastered the Art of War.

Rating:
Summary: To gain all under Heaven one must...
Review: Read the book at least 1001 times. That's all I'm saying.

Rating:
Summary: To gain all under Heaven one must...
Review: Read the book at least 1001 times. That's all I'm saying.

Rating:
Summary: Art of War - A Must Read for Military Science Students
Review: Sun Tzu's Art of War, written approximately twenty centuries ago, is the first recorded study of military strategy. In my opinion, the Art of War is the most famous and influential book ever written on the subject of military strategy. Its age and the fact that it is still in print and still used lends it significant credibility in the area of warfare. Sun Tzu in my opinion was a great military strategist. Quite possibly he was the best the world has ever known. It is important to note that some historians believe that Sun Tzu never actually existed, or perhaps Sun Tzu was an alias. Some historians believe that Sun Tzu may not have played a significant role as a military strategist; it is possible that he was overshadowed by more important figures.
I read the edition that was translated by Ralph D. Sawyer, and I thought his work was excellent. The book flows very well and for the most part easy to read. Sawyer wisely informs the reader that each chapter should be evaluated on its own and to keep in mind how the chapters relate to one another.
Those who read it may find useful information that they can relate to in their own lives, however, one must be cognizant that not all concepts would be practical. Perhaps, the results of applying certain concepts specified in this book in everyday situations could be detrimental or even disastrous, for example in a work environment. After reading his book I learned that Sun Tzu's strategies are not only useful to military strategists they can also be used by entrepreneurs, in competitive sports, or any adversarial type situation. In fact, some Japanese businessmen are required to read this book due to its wealth of information and advice on competitive situations.
Since I am planning to enlist in the United States ARMY as a second lieutenant upon my graduation from college, I felt that reading the Art of War would be very beneficial background information for my career choice. This book is excellent reading for someone-such as myself-who has limited knowledge about military strategy, specifically, the theories and concepts of Sun Tzu. I read Sawyer's version for his substantial introduction and insightful historical background information as a means to gain knowledge on the ways of ancient Chinese culture, writing, time periods or dynasties, politics, economic life, and warfare. I especially enjoyed the passages on ancient warfare and its weaponry-- such as the chariot, horse and cavalry, armor and shields, and the sword; it shows how far we have advanced in warfare over the centuries.
Furthermore, Sawyer analyzes battles in which Sun Tzu was thought to serve as commander, and he also provides maps of the three warring states to allow the reader visual examples. I did like the descriptions of the battles among the warring states as Sawyer reconstructed them; they were very detailed including initial troop deployment followed by second, third, and final phases of the battle.
In order to better understand the ramifications of Sun Tzu's time, Sawyer provides history on the three warring states-Ch'u, Wu, and Yueh. Although, I found these particular passages quite interesting I have never enjoyed learning about history, and this book is no exception. In all honesty, I did become rather bored while reading the author's in depth account of certain aspects of Chinese history. It is my opinion that the book detailed specific events that did not contribute to the book as a whole. Additionally, some of Sun Tzu's theories and concepts were ambiguous which could result in the reader misinterpreting as well as misapplying the concepts. Moreover, Sawyer only provides an analysis on a few of Sun Tzu's concepts on warfare; therefore, it is left to the reader to interpret each concept. Sawyer even suggests that the reader obtain other books and publications to fully understand the meaning of each thought, theory, or concept provided by Sun Tzu.
Before I read this book, I would have considered Sun Tzu a barbarian with an ineffective approach to warfare; however, upon completion I realized that he had repeatedly stressed the importance of human preservation, self-control, and avoidance of all military engagements if at all possible. Conversely, Sun Tzu utilized tactics and strategies that required death and destruction when necessary.
I recommend this book to anyone having any interest in ancient Chinese warfare; it is worthwhile reading. The Art of War is by far the most informative military strategy book I have read to date in that the author discusses all facets of warfare for purposes of defeating the enemy. Having said this, I believe the Art of War is not a "once read." In order to understand all of Sun Tzu's concepts and theories on warfare the book must be read several times.

Rating:
Summary: Out Standing
Review: The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Ralph D. Sawyer
If you looking for a historical document I highly recommend this book. Sawyers interpretation is excellent with a clear understanding of Chinese culture and history. He uses numerous examples of battles that occurred in Ancient China, during Sun Tzu era. His writing is clear and easy to understand. I have read other interpretations of the "Art of War" and some areas are esoteric and confusing, not so in Sawyers version. Sawyers book is almost like having two books in one. He has a concise history of ancient Chinese military, he has his own comments (don't neglect reading the foot notes section.) besides an excellent interpretation of the text. After reading Sawyers translation, I now use it as a guide to base the accuracy of other translations.

Again this is not a "business" guide adaptation of Sun Tzu's book, it is a true historic translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War. I believe Sawyer truly communicates the message Sun Tzu actually meant to convey in his book, as military guide. If you're interested in the military might of ancient China I cannot recommend this book enough.

Rating:
Summary: The Art of War on tape by Ralph D Sawyer
Review: This book on tape pays for itself in creative thinking and inspiration. It gives you a fresh look at the your business information. Each time I listen I pickup something new, or create a new view of the same old information. I have already used some of the ideas in my presentations and blew the audience away.
If there was ever a book that needs to be read by a salesman, this is it!
Thank you Ralph D. Sawyer

Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: This is a legendary book and has gotten a lot of play these days, from Wall St. to Hollywood types--including such notables as writer James Clavell. While I respect Clavell and am very familiar with the book, frankly, I don't see what all the commotion is about. The supposedly profound psychological principles that can be used to outwit your opponent, among many other strategems discussed, I found to be pretty elementary and not particularly astute. Perhaps for it's time this qualified as state of the art, but not anymore. Most of them are, or should be, pretty obvious.

Sun Tzu's observations about military strategy also seemed of limited applicability today since they pertain to ground wars with very primitive weapons. For example, his point that one should obtain the superior vantage point and position from which to attack, while valid, would be understood today by the greenest officer just out of his military strategy and tactics course at the academy. There are some occasionally useful tidbits here, but overall, I suspect anybody trying to use these tactics in exactly the same way today in a confrontation with modern ground weapons wouldn't be a happy camper.

To give just a couple of examples of this, in John Keegan's excellent book on the history of warfare, The Face of Battle, he points out that in the Battle of the Somme in World War I artillery accounted for 90 per cent of the casualties--not the infantry. The importance of artillery has continued to this day, something which didn't exist at all in Sun Tzu's time.

As Keegan has pointed out, the first "modern" battle in the sense that it was the artillery that carried the day was in the 12th century Battle of Agincourt, where the much smaller English army using longbowmen decisively defeated a much larger French army, inflicting heavy casualties on the other side.

Secondly, the greater speed, destructive power, and maneuverability of modern armies, especially in the case of mechanized armor, dictates that the overall strategy and details of ground engagements will be substantially different from those in Sun Tzu's time. (I could cite other examples, since we haven't even considered the advent of air power, but I'll leave it at that).

The best way to appreciate this book is in the context of a classic that represented a high point in the military thinking of its time, but which has since been superceded. Basically this amounts to saying the work has historical value, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I wouldn't go too much further than that.

Also (assuming the story is true), anybody who would behead two of the Emperor's most beautiful concubines because they giggled during a marching exercise for the Emperor is a real jerk and should apply for membership in the Nazi Hall of Fame (more like Hall of Shame).

Finally, as seen from the editions of this book that purport to teach useful business principles derived from Sun Tzu's book-- westerners continually misinterpret Oriental classics like this and apply them to situations where they are not applicabl--and where even the Chinese wouldn't think of using them. Again, this is a book about war, and has very little relevance to business.

You'd think people would have taken a clue from the title, "The Art of War." It's doesn't say, "The Art of Business." What part of the title didn't they understand?

In fairness, I would sum up by saying Sun Tzu's book represents an important historical contribution, but it has been over-hyped far beyond its real worth to the modern reader, and inappropriately applied in other areas, such as business, where it very little, if any, real relevance or value.