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Sun Tzu and
"The Art of War"
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short history |
The original text of "Ping Fa: The Art of War" does not exist. Legend has it that the original was written circa 500 BC by General Sun Wu, in the employ of Ho Lu, King of Wu, and consisted of 82 chapters, of which the existing 13 chapters make up the first 'chuan'. Sun Wu was given the title 'Tzu', which means 'master', late in his life.
Scholars estimate that existing texts are copies which date from 450 BC to 320 BC, during the 'Warring States' period of Chinese history. The text was unknown to Europeans until around 1750 AD.
The book is a sophisticated treatise on philosophy, logistics, espionage, strategy, and tactics, with later versions often containing more commentary than original text. The central premise is that battles are won not strictly from force or might, but rather by the use of wisdom and courage, as well as cunning and guile.
The 1910 translation by Leslie Giles is greatly respected, while later translations by Thomas Cleary and others take into account Wu Chiu-lung's transcription, which was made from bamboo strips that were found in 1972 and dated to 140-118 BC.
"The Art of War"
online text at Northeastern University
online Chinese text at China News Digest
online text version translated by Sonshi.com [2000]
Other Works
 | "Mastering The Art of War" Translated by Thomas Cleary [1989] Shambhala 9x6 pb [11/89] for $10.47 |
 | "The Lost Art of War" by Sun Tzu II - Translated by Thomas Cleary [1996]
In 1972, "The Lost Art of War" was discovered in an ancient Chinese tomb; the first complete manuscript ever found from the legendary military strategist Sun Tzu II (commonly known as Sun Bin, a lineal descendent of the great Sun Tzu), this sophisticated manual delves even deeper than "The Art of War" into the complex principles and practices of organizations, tactical formation, strategic maneuvering, and adaptation. Sun Tzu II draws on other traditions of strategic thinking while extending the teachings of his ancestor. Harper SF 8x5¼ pb [5/97] for $13.99 Harper hardcover [2/96] out of print/used |
 | "Sun Tzu and The Art of Business: Six Strategic Principles For Managers" [1996] by Mark R. McNeilly Kindle Edition from Oxford Univ Press [12/2011] for $14.57 Oxford Univ Press 8x5¼ pb [5/2000] out of print/used Oxford Univ Press hardcover [11/96] out of print/used |
 | "Sun Tzu: The Art of War For Managers" [1998] by Gerald A. Michaelson, Translation by Research Society of Sun Tzu Staff Adams Media 8¾x6 pb [2001] for $10.73 Pressmark Intl. 9½x5¾ pb [8/98] out of print/used |
 | "Sun Tzu and The Art of Modern Warfare - Enlarged Edition" [2001] by Mark R. McNeilly Kindle Edition from Oxford Univ Press [Expanded Edition 2003] for $31.99 {sic} Oxford Univ Press Expanded Edition 9¼x6 pb [4/2003] out of print/used Oxford Univ Press hardcover [10/2001] for $19.25 |
 | "Sun Tsu's The Art of War" video [2002] As interpreted by George Alexander Yamazato Videos color DVD [9/2002] out of prodn/used |
 | "Sun Tzu Was A Sissy: Conquer Your Enemies, Promote Your Friends, and Wage The Real Art of War" [2004] by Stanley Bing
Kindle Edition from HarperCollins e-books [10/2009] for $7.99 HarperBusiness 7x5 pb [4/2006] for $16.99 HarperBusiness 7x5 hardcover [10/2004] for $14.76 |
 | "The Wisdom of China: Sun Tzu - The Ultimate Master of War" [2014] by Xu Yuanxiang & Li Jing Of the 4,000-odd books on military strategy produced over the course of Chinese history, "The Art of War" is almost unanimously acknowledged as the most outstanding; it was written by Sun Wu/Sun Tzu, a well-known general during the late Spring and Autumn Period, some 2,500 years ago. Kindle Edition from China Intercontinental Press [5/2015] for $6.99 China Intercontinental Press pb [8/2014] for $26.64 |
Links About Sun Tzu
Open Directory Project listings for Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu entry at Wikipedia
Sun Tzu Research Society of China
Sun Tzu’s Art of War Research Center at Peking University
here on Maison d'Ętre Bookstore's Sun Tzu & 'The Art of War' Page
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