The Art of War (Relié)

The Ancient Chinese military classic by the warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu appears here in a brilliant new translation by Peter Harris. For more than two thousand years, The Art of War has been a revered source of tactical wisdom. An enduring part of Chinese culture, it is widely admired today as a guide to success by both military and business leaders the world over. Each of its thirteen chapters is devoted to a distinct aspect of conducting warfare, ranging from advance planning to troop movements, and from evaluating terrain to managing intelligence and espionage.
But embedded in the practical guidance are injunctions with wider applications that go well beyond Sun Tzu's war-torn period of Chinese history. These include the importance of flexibility in response to changing circumstances, creativity, attention to timing, analyzing the intentions of others and recognizing opportunities. The timelessness of these insights, whether applied to the battlefield or the boardroom, has given the work its value to modern readers.
Alongside the pithy and powerful ancient text, Harris includes extracts from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators who have explained and elaborated upon Sun Tzu's precepts over the centuries. In addition, he provides explanatory notes, a bibliography, a chronology of Chinese dynasties, a map of China during the Warring States period, and an illuminating introduction on Sun Tzu and the role of The Art of War in history and today.