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dreiac's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting. Applicable for other stuff other than war (although one couldn’t help but think of the current world affairs we find ourselves in, which made the book even more engaging because of it being relatable in that respect).
iusmani's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.0
It's kind of hard to rate book of ancient Chinese military strategies since it's literally just tactics and advice. I listened to this on audiobook purely out of curiosity and because it was so short, and I think its just one of those classics that's famous because it was the first of its kind and it's been so well preserved. Definitely one of those books you read because it looks cool on your shelf and not because its entertaining.
athousandgreatbooks's review against another edition
5.0
What the ancients call a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
Art of War - An ancient Chinese military treatise written circa 6th century BC that has been the cornerstone of East Asian warfare. Composed of 13 chapters, it has been listed as a recommended reading for US military intelligence personnel and compulsory reading for CIA officers.
The treatise is applicable to many fields outside the military including business, politics, management, entrepreneurship, sports, and law.
A major portion of the tactics and the strategies mentioned herein teach one how to emerge victorious in wars without actually having to do battle. All warfare is based on Deception and outsmarting the opponent is vital to ensure physical battle is rendered unnecessary. Hence the saying – One may KNOW how to conquer without being able to DO it.
From the start, the object of any war must be swift victory (if possible) and avoiding long, drawn-out campaigns. To that end, knowing the enemy (and oneself) is not just prudent, but also perhaps the most important factor.
The treatise pays especial attention to what a competent leader must be able to do. Knowing how to spot the most opportune moment to act, ensure cohesion within the group, the stratagems in the field and the variations thereof in order to deceive the enemy – these are all important facets of warfare. But their careful study alone does not suffice; for there is a wisdom without them that can only be understood through practice (and so I only half understand it).
Sun Tzu gives especial prominence to the knowledge of the terrain, the psychology of soldiers, the impact of the elements on a campaign, and the art of espionage. These are all-important considerations that the leader cannot do without.
As he lists down the ways to ensure victory, he also provides ways of courting defeat, so the general can spot how the chances of victory are being undermined and what actions must be taken to better the odds.
Gotta read this one again sometime soon.
Art of War - An ancient Chinese military treatise written circa 6th century BC that has been the cornerstone of East Asian warfare. Composed of 13 chapters, it has been listed as a recommended reading for US military intelligence personnel and compulsory reading for CIA officers.
The treatise is applicable to many fields outside the military including business, politics, management, entrepreneurship, sports, and law.
A major portion of the tactics and the strategies mentioned herein teach one how to emerge victorious in wars without actually having to do battle. All warfare is based on Deception and outsmarting the opponent is vital to ensure physical battle is rendered unnecessary. Hence the saying – One may KNOW how to conquer without being able to DO it.
From the start, the object of any war must be swift victory (if possible) and avoiding long, drawn-out campaigns. To that end, knowing the enemy (and oneself) is not just prudent, but also perhaps the most important factor.
The treatise pays especial attention to what a competent leader must be able to do. Knowing how to spot the most opportune moment to act, ensure cohesion within the group, the stratagems in the field and the variations thereof in order to deceive the enemy – these are all important facets of warfare. But their careful study alone does not suffice; for there is a wisdom without them that can only be understood through practice (and so I only half understand it).
Sun Tzu gives especial prominence to the knowledge of the terrain, the psychology of soldiers, the impact of the elements on a campaign, and the art of espionage. These are all-important considerations that the leader cannot do without.
As he lists down the ways to ensure victory, he also provides ways of courting defeat, so the general can spot how the chances of victory are being undermined and what actions must be taken to better the odds.
Gotta read this one again sometime soon.
lostkafka's review against another edition
4.0
If you are strong appear weak,
But if you are weak appear strong ...
- Sun Tzu
This book, hype you upto feel like a military tactician who's all ready to march into a war!!!
Love it
But if you are weak appear strong ...
- Sun Tzu
This book, hype you upto feel like a military tactician who's all ready to march into a war!!!
Love it
lamina_miah's review against another edition
4.0
As if I'd give Master Sun a bad review, his spirit would slaughter me in my sleep whilst quoting his own damn book.
It's important to know the context of the book - that he wrote it for all these rich nobility who were going to lead wars with no experience so it's full of "remember to feed your troops, no they can't forage for food, you have to actually feed them", which is kind of hilarious if it wasn't so sad.
Anyways, a solid amount of quotable advice that you can apply in other facets of life. I like the way he divides the different parts of warfare. Probably better in the OG ancient Chinese and I would have loved it to be longer and in more detail.
It's important to know the context of the book - that he wrote it for all these rich nobility who were going to lead wars with no experience so it's full of "remember to feed your troops, no they can't forage for food, you have to actually feed them", which is kind of hilarious if it wasn't so sad.
Anyways, a solid amount of quotable advice that you can apply in other facets of life. I like the way he divides the different parts of warfare. Probably better in the OG ancient Chinese and I would have loved it to be longer and in more detail.