Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War by Sun Tzu: New Modern Edition | Sun Tzu
The Art of War is a classic of military strategy. It is ascribed to Sun Tzu, also called Sunzi or Sun Wu, a quasi-legendary figure. The work has been dated from between the 6th to the 3rd century BCE. It is known worldwide and is considered required reading for students of political and military science. As with other classics, many of its themes are timeless. Quotations from the work can be meaningful apart from the thousands of years which separate us from the time and place of its creation. The Art of War is itself a brief work. However, it is generally packaged with extensive commentary and additional essays, so that it appears to be a book of around 200 pages or more. (This new modern edition is only 40 pages in length.) Much of what is added to these editions is only interesting to academics or students of the minutiae of history. At the same time, the intentions of readers tends to be to find out what it is that makes this work such a classic, not learn about the history of its commentaries. This new edition meant to address the needs of the modern reader. By honing the language down to clear formulations, The Art of War can be more readily understood, more enjoyable to read, and more relevant to today. The English is based on the original translation by Lionel Giles. The 1910 English prose of Giles is awkward to our modern ears, and slows down our reading and appreciation of this classic. The new modern edition of The Art of War is meant to communicate the authentic essence and meaning of this work in modern, accessible English prose. This version is an abridgement, a shortened form of a work which nevertheless retains the same meaning and upholds the unity of the original. Abridgement is foremost a cutting away of the inessential parts, which ends up in condensing the work. The key to abridging is to ensure the prose is extremely clear and transparent in meaning, requiring little additional guidance or interpretation to reach understanding.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
SMH86
The Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

Short metaphorical piece fully of many densely packed nuggets. A lot of common sense and applicable in many situations, although understanding of historical context helps beyond the nuggets.

blurb
TheBookgeekFrau
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great photo 📷 9mo
Eggs Brilliant 👌🏼 9mo
33 likes2 comments
review
michellelav
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
Pickpick

I have to admit.. I only listened to this cause I thought it was on my 100 Essential Books poster but it wasn‘t 🥲 I‘m happy I got the chance to listen to it though! It was really interesting and quick read 📖

54 likes1 stack add
quote
AroundTheBookWorld
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
#TheArtOfWar #SunTzu #firstline #openingline #book #books #booktattoo #booktree #bookthief #booktopia #booktoday #bookyourself #bookunion #Classics #NonFiction #Philosophy #History #War #Politics #Business #MilitaryFiction #China 🧡🧡🧡

review
kelli7990
The Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image
Mehso-so

Here‘s my review for a book I just finished reading.

blurb
Noah22
The Art of War | Sun Tzu

This book is about a general, strategist, and a philosopher named Sun Tzu. He was very smart and knew how to lead his army to victory many times. He was very deceiving and tried to get any advantage in any way possible. Some people thought that he played dirty and didn't like his way of war. But many militaries and strategies study and use this book in the modern world.

blurb
Sharpeipup
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image

#allaboutme #auldlangspine
@Maria5146 @monalyisha

I like cartoons/comics.
Prefer dogs.
I respect a good pun.
I‘m a December baby.
Oldest of 4 girls.
Married for nearly 21 years.

monalyisha Happy birthday! 😉🥳 2y
Maria514626 Oh my! That cartoon! 😆💯👏 2y
44 likes2 comments
review
Twainy
Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

🎧 Another shocker! This audiobook was an hour long, 30 pages. I listened to it 3X on 12/9/2022. I thought it had to be abridged but nope, that‘s it. 45 minutes of your life & you‘ve read a very ancient book, it‘s a leadership classic!

I highly recommend it. It was surprisingly good!

While this is 13 chapters on warfare you will see that it also has present day implications.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

SamAnne My mentor,gave me a copy before I moved to DC to fight for protecting forests. Very helpful indeed. 2y
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
BookedBySunrise
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
Mehso-so

Short interesting read. I been curious about this book for awhile and glad I eventually got to it. Not my Typical read

blurb
wen4blu
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image

The book and pillow sentiments go together, right?

43 likes1 stack add
quote
VioletMoonBooks
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image

Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve great results. Spies are a most important element in war, because on them depends an army‘s ability to move.
#TheArtOfWar #SunTzu #lastline #closingline #book #books #booktattoo #booktree #bookthief #booktopia #booktoday #bookyourself #bookunion #NonFiction #Philosophy #Classics #History 💙💙

review
TheNeverendingTBR
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

'𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬.'

This one is a little tedious to read, but it contains tremendous knowledge with regards to warfare and it even applies to everyday life.

Many of the points in this writing can be put to daily use.

I also find it fascinating that I just read something that was written in the 5th century BC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆

MemoirsForMe That is pretty cool reading something so ancient. 3y
79 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
zurazureen
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
Pickpick

Strategy and tactics using brains instead of brawls

review
j.anne
The Art of War | Tzu, Sun
Pickpick

10/10

review
Timb
The Art of War | Sun Tzu
Mehso-so

*audio book
I now feel able to take down a large army

review
llcoolnate
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
Pickpick

Late to the party, but I'm now ready to conquer some lands.

Bookwomble The hardest land to conquer is the one within ourselves 😌 (I've read too many self-help books 😄) 3y
llcoolnate @Bookwomble haha inspirational! 3y
65 likes2 comments
review
BeeMagical
The art of war | Sun Tzu
Pickpick

Book 58🎧
I don‘t plan on becoming a war lord or anything😂- but there is a lot of good information in this that can be repurposed into current times and everyday life.
Quick listen - 2hrs

review
abookdragonsretreat
The Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

I have never read this book before, but I found an audiobook version on YouTube so I thought I would give it a go. I was definitely not disappointed, the book is very logical and has some very questionable yet intriguing aspects that one may consider if anyone happened to start a war. I liked the simplicity of it, though a few parts were slightly confusing, I also liked that it was short and straight to the point. A classic book well worth a read.

53 likes2 stack adds
quote
abookdragonsretreat
The Art of War | Sun Tzu

“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

review
rakeshpm
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
Pickpick

Evergreen classic.

blurb
rakeshpm
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi

Reading

blurb
Dcueto
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image

Just realized the irony in my current reads 😹😹 #emotions

Jari-chan Perfect fit 😂 4y
IuliaC The extremes 😁👍 4y
46 likes2 comments
review
pr.alm
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

Master Sun said:
Ultimate excellence lies
Not in winning every battle
But in defeating the enemy
Without ever fighting.

29 likes1 stack add
blurb
Curiouser_and_curiouser
The Art of War | Tzu, Sun
post image

Avoiding all the work there is to do today, I accidentally fell into an opshop this morning and before I knew it I was walking out with these!

AmyG Oops! 🙌🏻 4y
Come-read-with-me What a great place to fall into! 4y
58 likes1 stack add2 comments
quote
VioletMoonBooks
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
14 likes2 stack adds
quote
VioletMoonBooks
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
review
d_t_r_eeve
Pickpick

A very short read. Interesting to ponder on how widely applicable the content is to modern times, despite being an ancient text. Worth picking up if you are into that sort of thing...

review
jeannasser
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

I can‘t believe I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. This is not the stuff I usually read, but this actually has some great usual tactics that could be used not just for war or battles but for other strategic situations. Very informative and quite entertaining 😊 Part 13 - The Use of Spies was definitely the most interesting section
#theartofwar #artofwar #suntzu #audiobook #listening #short #librivox

review
reema
The art of war | Sun Tzu
Pickpick

Actually quite useful insights, even for today.

blurb
TheNeverendingTBR
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image

It's #tarottakeover time and it's Ace of Swords! ⚔

Which represents new plans, intellectual ability, clear-thinking, breakthroughs, vision, focus and making the correct decisions.

I went for The Art of War by Sun Tzu because it tied in well with that I think. 🙋‍♂️🍵

@Meaw_catlady @ErinSueMreads 💫

Meaw_catlady Great choice!!! I‘ve been meaning to read this! 🌙 4y
78 likes1 comment
review
BestDogDad
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Mehso-so

This is a war strategy guide written by Chinese general Sun Tzu around 2,500 BCE. I was never bored, it held my interest and I thought the narration was good, but overall just not for me. It was a quick listen, anyway. And now I know how to use fire to defeat and destroy my enemies so I have that going for me.

jeannasser Lol I‘m actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this 😂 4y
16 likes1 comment
blurb
DrSabrinaMoldenReads
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image

In coming days, I am going to need Sun Tzu to help me with some personal battles. He really has in the past.

review
Bookworm_97
Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image
Mehso-so

Came across so many stories about this 2500 Years old classic on how it influenced so many present philosophies such as Taoism & Maoism and played a main role in many wars happened in past 2500 years. Also Snapchat CEO Spiegel gifted this book to all of their employees to motivate them and defeat their then competitor Facebook. But its clearly not my kind of book. Although the lessons mentioned in this can be taken metaphorically in any situations

review
vlwelser
The Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

"He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them."

I have no idea why I assumed this was a long book. It's really very short.

blurb
Demeter2112
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image

review
S3V3N
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

Loved it.

blurb
TheSpineView
The Art of War | Tzu, Sun
post image
blurb
VioletMoonBooks
The Art of War | Tzu, Sunzi
post image
blurb
Landon
Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image

Such an interesting little read. Second time through, this time with the hardcopy.

4 likes1 stack add
quote
RamsFan1963
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
review
ImperfectCJ
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

This book is a lot more practical and less philosophical than I expected. It gives an interesting look at Chinese warfare during the Warring States period, but I would hesitate to use it as a guide for business or personal life as some seem inclined to do in recent years.

(Read for my Cavalcade of Classics (Classics Club) list.)

DrSabrinaMoldenReads This book, I love. The strategies work on adversaries too. I‘ve used them 5y
ImperfectCJ @Joyfulmimi I'd love to hear which were useful to you against adversaries! I did quite like "The Skillful Warrior/Can achieve/His own/Invulnerability;/But he can never bring about/The enemy‘s/Vulnerability." The ones about not pressing an enemy at bay and how there are some ruler's orders not to obey were also interesting to me.

5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I will be sure to get back with you on this. I will check my book and/or my book journal but it seems as I recall that almost all of it applied somehow. 5y
See All 16 Comments
DrSabrinaMoldenReads This is another book that is scary true and helpful 5y
ImperfectCJ @Joyfulmimi That one looks interesting! People on Goodreads also recommended The Prince. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I think a lot of people do not like the Power book because it is scary how well those laws actually work and one hates to have to accept that things may work that way. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Regarding “The Art of War”, I grew up and lived in a military town and learned that Army officers actually had to study that book in their training. (edited) 5y
ImperfectCJ @Joyfulmimi That makes sense since it's geared towards those leading armies into battle. It's not so clear to me how it applies to everyday life. I mean, there's a lot in there about when to attack an enemy relative to when they cross a river and about how dust rises into the air from a group of chariots vs infantry vs an army encampment. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I don‘t know if you can imagine such a traumatic scenario but I was literally in a war with a situation that was trying to destroy my family. I ultimately was victorious and I relied a lot on books as usual and this was one @ImperfectCJ . I just opened my copy and found one of my first underlined quotes: “All warfare is based on deception” (So I hid my strategies) 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads @ImperfectCJ “when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away: when far away we must make him believe we are near” This is a perfect example of how it applies. Get it? Maybe you have not been in this type of situation. Be prepared because I believe something like this happens to all of us. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads “Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy‘s resistance without making fighting” ( So no evident animosity; strategize and use deception; Don‘t argue, even smile if directly attacked.) It‘s not the same extreme but I was kinda verbally admonished inappropriately, I think, by a colleague the other day so the next day I was real standoffish with her so she evidently could not decide where I was with it all. @ImperfectCJ (edited) 5y
ImperfectCJ @Joyfulmimi Okay, I see where you're coming from, and I definitely see the value of equanimity in the face of confrontation and in holding one's cards close to one's chest, as it were. I'm a little uncomfortable with looking at everyone as an enemy, but I suppose if the suggestions are sound, one can mentally revise the terminology. I also tend towards more direct communication, but I can see where that's not always the best option. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I actually had an enemy. I do not look at everyone as an enemy. I actually was in a war. Sorry, you may not understand. Hope no one ever tries to destroy you @ImperfectCJ I would only apply this if I was actually in a war to save myself. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads I am talking about people called sociopaths and psychopaths. @ImperfectCJ 5y
ImperfectCJ @Joyfulmimi Thank you for the clarification. Survival circumstances definitely call for more extreme defensive measures. 5y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads You got it!!! I only used it for that special circumstance @ImperfectCJ 5y
37 likes16 comments
blurb
ImperfectCJ
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image

Advice for war leaders and/or some awesome New Year's Resolutions.

quote
Aeshenmesh
Art of War | Sun Tzu

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

quote
Aeshenmesh
Art of War | Sun Tzu

All warfare is based on deception.

blurb
AkashPhoenix
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image

21 likes1 stack add
quote
BookNik
The art of war | Sun Tzu

"It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, do surround him; if five to one,do attack him; if twice as numerous, do divide our army into two; if equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers,we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him."

blurb
jen_the_scribe
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image

I've heard it said that everyone should read The Art of War, it was free on Audiobooks.com so I decided to give it a listen. I can see the wisdom in this ancient writing and how it can be referenced in many aspects of life, not just actual battle. It was a quick listen and even the logistical advice was interesting in the historical context. It painted a picture of battle in ancient China.

14 likes2 stack adds
blurb
tournevis
Art of War | Sun Tzu
post image

DS9 4.01 #TheWayoftheWarrior One of the best season openers on television ever, two hours of killer plot, surgical dialogue, and Worf. The best Klingon episode ever, I won't talk about it more, you go watch it.

Tagging Sun Tzu, like a cliché (yet relevant for the plot), but I want to mention Diane Carey's novelization which is amazing, even better than the episode itself.

#startreksummerJune #day2

Nute I love to read words that are gushing joy about Star Trek. I'm gonna rewatch that episode one day soon. Thanks for making me smile. 5y
tournevis @Nute I love ST. 😘 5y
Megabooks I had forgotten about Kira and Dax in the costumes! I think Michael Dorn was a great addition to the DS9 cast. I‘ll be posting soon. It‘s been a busy morning! You make me want to rewatch this ASAP!! (edited) 5y
tournevis @Megabooks It was a dangerous decision. They were trying to boost the show, it was slumping in the charts, but it could have gone so badly. 5y
43 likes4 comments
review
FantasyChick
The art of war | Sun Tzu
post image
Pickpick

Bought as a coffee table book years ago (which explains the few marks on the cover...sad) and never picked it up. Today was the day! I fully believe a lot of these lessons could be doubled as parenting skills 😂 Worth the quick read
✅ originally written in a different language
✅ by an author from a different country
✅ has a shiny cover (shiny parts anyway, I'm counting it)
#maymadness #mayscavengerhunt
@Clwojick @TheReadingMermaid @RadicalReader

Clwojick Woohoo! 5y
BeansPage That's such a cool looking edition 😍 5y
FantasyChick @TheReadingMermaid I love this edition. It was a complete impulse buy because it was just too pretty to leave in the store. I actually never anticipated reading it 😂😂 5y
57 likes3 comments