The Art of War (AmazonClassics Edition)

Interesting because many parts can be likened to variable circumstances in life. Useful gems can be distilled as a result for many uzes.

I had heard of Sun Tzu and the art of war but never read it. I found this to be interesting and well done. Not my normal type of book but well worth reading.

The author does come up with some great points to either stay ahead of the enemy or surprise them. But after awhile it got to be repetitive with some of the names I feel they just added additional letters to make the name sound different. But that is just me.

Is said that poetry is the way in which words, like ancient magic, transmits a precise knowledge, a truth, in such a way that symbol and meaning are almost the same. This work by Sun Tzu feels like poetry as it goes to the essence of the human being as a creature that attempts enterprises. Sun Tzu has bequeathed us a short book that is classical in the sense that its immortality is confirmed by the fact that it doesn't matter in which century you read it, it is not outdated. Is universal because it doesn't matter your race, gender, occupation or beliefs: "The Art of War" is illuminating. It lights up deep truths about the way we have to behave in order to win. It is a fundamental reading, the sooner you read it the better : )AmazonClassics Edition are the best for works written in English language. They offer the text in its purity, with X-Ray and excellent formatting. Sadly for their books written in another languages they rely on translations already in the public domain. This means that is a question of luck to have a good translation, in the case of "The Art of War" the problem is that the translator, Lionel Giles, gives a poorly organized introduction with duplicate and, to be blunt, boring data. Fortunately afterwards he has the good taste to put the text pure without commentary. It is a good translation with few outdated words. But it adds then the same text with a commentary that is pointless, only an exercise of vanity, because it explains what is already crystal clear, save a couple of data all is, for our century, already outdated. I'd love if Amazon would allow us to delete pages and chapters so this perfect book could not be mutilated with unnecessary additions. For this book I think the AmazonClassics Edition, despite its good presentation, is not the best one.

I was confused when this was listed as well over 200 pages. Then I found that 80% of that was commentary and analysis 😴 anyway... I read the 45 pages of the actual book. It falls into the category of "I'm glad I read it but I'd never read it again" category. I read it to check it off my "classics" list but it's not one I'd recommend to others to read.

I’ve given this book 5 stars simply because it’s passed the test of time and is still very relevant however I am saddened by the tear at the bottom of the books spine...I’ve decided to purchase more books than movies because I hope my children and future decedents can physically hold a story and read the very same words that define me. To pass on wisdom although I’m a fool...and I’m uneasy because the bottom of the spine of this masterpiece is weekend by someone packaging my purchase...and I hope this book lives far longer than me...but based on the way it was received....I fear that it will not last past my own lifetime...

The book has two parts. The first part is the translation by itself. The second part is the translation accompanied by comments and annotations. I only read the first part.I felt this is literally a manual for waging war. And so I didn’t find what makes the book appealing for the general population, civilians.

Required some deep thinking and reflectionCan be read many times and still find further meaning

Useful information.

It wasn't what I thought it would be, but it was mildly entertaining and worth a one time read. If I could go back in time, I would probably read it again, but most likely will not read it again in the future.

Interesting book

Having seen many quotes from 'The Art of War' in presentations and LinkedIn (and that it was quite short), I thought it could be interesting to actually read it.I wondered if it would open up broader insights and unearth nuggets, or merely confirm that basing workplace lessons on ancient warfare is just another way of saying 'manage like a sociopath'.Having read it, I'm still not sure. For instance not attacking a larger force with a smaller force is pretty good advice but probably already fairly obvious (i.e. you probably won't beat Facebook don't take them on). However, making the point that war is waged to make political gains, rather than to have a really big fight is interesting - I guess this is a 'stay focused' message.Hard to score this one, however it would be churlish to mark literature of over 2500 years old as anything other than a five - that's not a bad shelf life.So, my favourite quote has nothing to do with enemies and sieges (which you should mostly avoid), I liked something I hadn't seen before which is:"He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign."If you're good at what you do, and you have the requisite resources, keep your boss as far away from the task as possible. - That might make it into one of my presentations.

Good read