Synopses & Reviews
For more than two thousand years, Sun-tzu's
The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics and management strategies. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible new translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today's readers. Capturing the literary quality of the work, Minford presents the core text in two formats: first, the unadorned ancient words of wisdom ascribed to Sun-tzu; then, the same text with extensive running commentary from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators. A lively, learned introduction and other valuable apparatus round out this authoritative volume.
Review
"The strategic advice that [The Art of War] offers concerns much more than the conduct of war. It is an ancient book of proverbial wisdom, a book of life." (John Minford, from the Introduction)
Synopsis
An acclaimed translation of the world's most famous military treatise, in a stunning Penguin Classics Deluxe edition
For more than two thousand years, Sun-tzu's The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics and management strategies. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today's readers. Capturing the literary quality of the work, Minford presents the core text in two formats: first, the unadorned ancient words of wisdom ascribed to Sun-tzu; then, the same text with extensive running commentary from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators. A lively, learned introduction and other valuable apparatus round out this authoritative volume.
Synopsis
A
stunning Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of the world's most famous military treatise, by the award-winning translator of the
Tao Te Ching and the
I Ching For more than two thousand years, Sun-tzu's
The Art of War has provided leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics and management strategies. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. Now, in this crisp, accessible translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life for today's readers. Capturing the literary quality of the work, Minford presents the core text in two formats: first, the unadorned ancient words of wisdom ascribed to Sun-tzu; then, the same text with extensive running commentary from the canon of traditional Chinese commentators. A lively, learned introduction and other valuable apparatus round out this authoritative volume.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,800 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Synopsis
Another influential Penguin Classic-now available in our signature black-spine dress For more than two thousand years, Sun-Tzu's The Art of War has provided military leaders with essential advice on battlefield tactics, managing troops and terrain, and employing cunning and deception. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone for the Western struggle for survival and success, whether in battle, in business, or in relationships. With this volume's crisp, accessible translation and lively, learned introduction, even those readers familiar with The Art of War will experience it anew, finding it more fascinating-and more chilling-than ever.
About the Author
John Minford is dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at the Open University of Hong Kong. He has published widely on Chinese literature and translated numerous works, including the Penguin Classics edition of Sun-tzu’s
The Art of War.
John Minford is dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at the Open University of Hong Kong. He has published widely on Chinese literature and translated numerous works, including the Penguin Classics edition of Sun-tzu’s The Art of War.
John Minford is dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at the Open University of Hong Kong. He has published widely on Chinese literature and translated numerous works, including the Penguin Classics edition of Sun-tzu’s The Art of War.
Table of Contents
The Art of War Acknowledgments
Introduction
A Note on the Text
Suggestions for Further Reading
A List of Chinese Commentators
Cronologies
Dyanasties
Historical Events
The Art of War
Chapter 1: Making of Plans
Chapter 2: Waging of War
Chapter 3: Strategic Offensive
Chapter 4: Forms and Dispositions
Chapter 5: Potential Energy
Chapter 6: Empty and Full
Chapter 7: The Fray
Chapter 8: The Nine Changes
Chapter 9: On the March
Chapter 10: Forms of Terrain
Chapter 11: The Nine Kinds of Ground
Chapter 12: Attack by Fire
Chapter 13: Espionage
The Art of War with Commentary
Chapter 1: Making of Plans
Chapter 2: Waging of War
Chapter 3: Strategic Offensive
Chapter 4: Forms and Dispositions
Chapter 5: Potential Energy
Chapter 6: Empty and Full
Chapter 7: The Fray
Chapter 8: The Nine Changes
Chapter 9: On the March
Chapter 10: Forms of Terrain
Chapter 11: The Nine Kinds of Ground
Chapter 12: Attack by Fire
Chapter 13: Espionage