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Rating: 
Summary: This version favors Poetry over Faithful Translation
Review: Having so many versions of "The Art of War" in print, I wanted a chance to check this book out at the book store. After flipping through the other books first, it was startling the way the John Minford translation phrases Sun-Zhu's words--it's more like poetry with visual stylistic charm, where Minford has taken the tranlation directive of curtness of phrases (think E.E. Cummings) and stylistic "beauty" over what I believe is the real strategy-led-tactics teachings behind "The Art of War". As a result the book reads fun, but really is at the expense of what I feel is important--the message of Sun-Zhu. The front flap of the cover itself attest to this philosophy of translation, and even uses the word "chilling" and "poetry".Summary:
4 stars--for poetry
1 star --for fidelity of translation.
Rating: 
Summary: My Favorite Translation of The Art of War
Review: I have studied 6 or 7 translations of Sun Tzu's Art of War, and this is my favorite. I like it for several reasons, but mainly for three: It captures the poetry of Sun Tzu's original text, it captures the essence of Sun Tzu's thought, and the commentary is excellent. If you only read one Sun Tzu, read this one. If you have read others, you should still read this one. I tip my hat to John Minford.
Rating: 
Summary: The text is OK, but not very portable...
Review: I rated this only 2 stars due to the fine content, but difficulty reading this title on the go. I've wanted to read this title for some time now. As a commuting businessman with a desktop, I had hoped that I'd be able to print out the title, and take it with me on my commute. Unfortunately, you cannot print this title. The Amazon site only "suggests" that some e-Books aren't printable, but does not specifically state anything about THIS title. When you download Adobe Reader and the eBook, it is only able to be read on the computer it was downloaded on. (So you can't keep a copy at work and home, or on a desktop and laptop.) Since I do not have a laptop, I am unable to read it during the downtime I have on my commute. Now I'll wind up needing to purchase a "hard-copy" book to read during the commute as well. Steer clear of this unless you want to read 170+ pages at your PC!
Rating:
Summary: The text is OK, but not very portable...
Review: I rated this only 2 stars due to the fine content, but difficulty reading this title on the go. I've wanted to read this title for some time now. As a commuting businessman with a desktop, I had hoped that I'd be able to print out the title, and take it with me on my commute. Unfortunately, you cannot print this title. The Amazon site only "suggests" that some e-Books aren't printable, but does not specifically state anything about THIS title. When you download Adobe Reader and the eBook, it is only able to be read on the computer it was downloaded on. (So you can't keep a copy at work and home, or on a desktop and laptop.) Since I do not have a laptop, I am unable to read it during the downtime I have on my commute. Now I'll wind up needing to purchase a "hard-copy" book to read during the commute as well. Steer clear of this unless you want to read 170+ pages at your PC!
Rating:
Summary: Accurate translation and extensive commentary
Review: Retired Professor John Minford is only a handful of people who truly understand the essence of the Art of War: "It is beautiful and chilling." He has been a translator and teacher of the Chinese language since 1977, and had chaired the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Department of Asian Languages at the University of Auckland. Dr. Minford's translation is extremely concise yet complete -- much to our pleasant surprise -- and is truer to the original Chinese format than all previously published Sun Tzu versions. Our analysis shows great care was given to rendering each and every word. Incorporating the conventionally accepted text, Shiyijia zhu Sunzi, along with commentary from various ancient and modern sources, his book is perfect for someone who wants both an accurate translation and an extensive explanation of its many concepts and principles. The book is broken out into two major parts: the first part presents the core text unadorned, and the second part has the same text with well-selected commentary. Just when we thought a new Sun Tzu the Art of War translation is not needed, John Minford's masterful work proved us wrong. Indeed, we are certain the value of his Art of War will only increase over time. Sonshi.com.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate translation and extensive commentary
Review: Retired Professor John Minford is only a handful of people who truly understand the essence of the Art of War: "It is beautiful and chilling." He has been a translator and teacher of the Chinese language since 1977, and had chaired the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Department of Asian Languages at the University of Auckland. Dr. Minford's translation is extremely concise yet complete -- much to our pleasant surprise -- and is truer to the original Chinese format than all previously published Sun Tzu versions. Our analysis shows great care was given to rendering each and every word. Incorporating the conventionally accepted text, Shiyijia zhu Sunzi, along with commentary from various ancient and modern sources, his book is perfect for someone who wants both an accurate translation and an extensive explanation of its many concepts and principles. The book is broken out into two major parts: the first part presents the core text unadorned, and the second part has the same text with well-selected commentary. Just when we thought a new Sun Tzu the Art of War translation is not needed, John Minford's masterful work proved us wrong. Indeed, we are certain the value of his Art of War will only increase over time. Sonshi.com.
Rating:
Summary: A classic translation
Review: This is the classic translation by Lionel Giles, formerly of the British Museum, of Sun Tzu's great military treatise. It includes numerous footnotes and explanatory notes. It is a 'straight', translation with many of the more interesting and amusing anecdotes that have come to surround Sun Tzu - such as the 'drilling the concubines' story, in which Sun Tzu beheads the Emperor's favourite concubine to demonstrate the efficiency of discipline, and the requirements of leadership.
Rating:
Summary: The Art of War is the Art of Life
Review: This slim volume contains so much wisdom on so many levels! Just buy it. Books like Von Clausewitz, or Machievelli's The Prince also treat of the same subject. The Bible, of course, is the best of all. Sun Tzu's succinct observations will help the reader see things he missed in Bible study; will help obviate the la-la thinking we in the West have come to embrace as a result of preferring Rousseau's and Thomas More's fantasies, rather than Hobbes. I can't praise Art of War enough. If you want to understand politics, propaganda, interpersonal relationships, get this book.
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