Sun-Tzu

by *, Translated By

• ISBN13: 9780813319513
• ISBN10: 081331951X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-02-10
• Publisher: Basic Books

Summary

TheArt of Waris almost certainly the most famous study of strategy ever written and has had an extraordinary influence on the history of warfare. The principles Sun Tzu expounded were utilized brilliantly by such great Asian war leaders as Mao Tse-tung, Giap, and Yamamoto. First translated two hundred years ago by a French missionary, Sun Tzu'sArt of Warhas been credited with influencing Napoleon, the German General Staff, and even the planning for Desert Storm. Many Japanese companies make this book required reading for their key executives. And increasingly, Western business people and others are turning to theArt of Warfor inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive situations of all kinds.Why has a two-thousand-year-old text proven so valuable in today's world? Because theArt of Warembodies an Eastern tradition of strategy that emphasizes outwitting an opponent through speed, stealth, flexibility, and a minimum of effort. And these time-tested principles work. They have been proven on the battlefield and in the marketplace.Unlike most editions of Sun Tzu currently available (many simply retreads of older, flawed translations) this superb new translation makes use of the best available classical Chinese manuscripts, including the ancient "tomb text" version discovered by archaeologists at Linyi, China.Ralph Sawyer, an outstanding Western scholar of ancient Chinese warfare and a successful businessman in his own right, places this classic work of strategy in its proper historical context. Sawyer supplies a portrait of Sun Tzu's era and outlines several battles of the period that may have either influenced Sun Tzu or been conducted by him. While appreciative of the philosophical richness of theArt of War,his edition stresses Sun Tzu's practical origins and presents a translation that is both accurate and accessible.

Author Biography

Ralph D. Sawyer, one of America’s leading scholars in Chinese warfare, has worked extensively with major intelligence and defense agencies. After studying at MIT and Harvard and a brief stint of university teaching, Sawyer has spent the past thirty years lecturing and doing international consulting work focused on China.

Table of Contents

Preface	11	(10)
A Note on the Translation and Pronunciation	21	(4)
Chronology of Approximate Dynastic Periods	25	(4)
General Introduction and Historical Background	29	(48)
Introduction	77	(86)
The Art of War in Translation	163	(2)
Initial Estimations	165	(6)
Waging War	171	(4)
Planning Offensives	175	(6)
Military Disposition	181	(4)
Strategic Military Power	185	(4)
Vacuity and Substance	189	(6)
Military Combat	195	(6)
Nine Changes	201	(4)
Maneuvering the Army	205	(6)
Configurations of Terrain	211	(6)
Nine Terrains	217	(8)
Incendiary Attacks	225	(4)
Employing Spies	229	(6)
Tomb Texts and Lost Writings	235	(14)
Notes to the General Introduction and Historical Background	249	(26)
Selected Notes to the Introduction	275	(26)
Notes to the Translation	301	(30)
Notes to the Tomb Texts and Lost Writings	331	(6)
Selected Bibliography	337	(14)
Glossary	351	(12)
Index	363