The Art of War (AmazonClassics Edition)

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 3,877 ratings

Price: 2.99

Last update: 12-24-2024


About this item

Long considered the most essential treatise on military strategy and tactics, The Art of War comprises thirteen chapters, each dedicated to a different aspect of warfare. Reaching far beyond the battlefield, it is a manifesto for success in every kind of conflict or competition, having had a notable influence on various subjects such as law, sports, and interpersonal relationships.

In this definitive 1910 Lionel Giles translation, the celebrated sinologist’s interpretive notes and valuable commentary make clear the nuances of Sun Tzu’s language. Most critical, Giles provides the context and culture from which the general’s theories emerged.

Revised edition: Previously published as The Art of War, this edition of The Art of War (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.


Top reviews from the United States

  • William J. Bahr
    5.0 out of 5 stars The masterly translation of Master Sun!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2024
    "The Art of War” is the masterpiece book of war strategy by Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu (“Master Sun”) lived in China about 500 BC and was perhaps the first theoretician of war. In his 13-chapter treatise “The Art of War,” Sun Tzu viewed an army as merely the instrument that dealt the death blow to an enemy previously made vulnerable. Before outright war, secret agents separated the enemy from its allies by subversive operations: spreading false rumors and misleading information, corrupting and subverting officials, nurturing fifth columns (groups within a country at war who work for or sympathize with its enemies), fomenting internal discord, and observing the results with spies. Only when one could not overcome the enemy was there a resort to armed force. One applied such force to gain victory: 1. in the shortest time, 2. at the least cost in lives and effort, and 3. by inflicting the fewest enemy casualties. Sun Tzu did not believe the goal of military action was the destruction of the enemy’s army, cities, and countryside. “Weapons are ominous tools to be used only when there is no alternative.”

    Among the more than forty English translations of “Art of War,” Dr. Giles’ work, first published in 1910, is quite good, as judged by John F. Sullivan, retired U.S. Army China Foreign Area Officer. The book, as offered in this edition, comes very close to including all commentary in Giles’ original translation as provided by Bob Sutton’s online commentary in Project Gutenberg. Furthermore, as Sutton says,

    The Giles’ edition of ‘Art of War’ is a scholarly work. A leading sinologue at the time, Dr. Giles was an assistant in the Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts in the British Museum. He desired to produce the definitive edition of Sun Tzu’s work. For 50 years, it was the best translation and still the most scholarly, presenting the reader with an incredible amount of information concerning Sun Tzu’s text.

    A minor comment: The reader might find the book’s frequent backgrounder use of the “ssu-ma” appellation a little confusing. Ssu-ma (or Sima) is the surname of a Chinese family/clan devoted to serving the Emperor by giving war advice. The family name henceforth became almost generic, taking on the meaning of “military official in ancient China.” The term “Ssu-ma Fa” equates to “The Methods of the Ssu-ma.” Also of potential interest, the often-quoted Ssu-ma Ch'ien (surname first, given name second) is the same person as Sima Qian, the “Grand Historian or Herodotus of China," who lived around 100 BC, some 400 years after Sun Tzu and about whom he comments.

    While some readers might prefer other versions of Giles’ work, some stripped to only Sun Tzu quotes, many will find this version perfect and price-worthy in that it allows the reader full access to background information, some to be skipped, with much to be savored to fully illuminate the exact meaning of Sun Tzu’s advice. Highly recommended for any library on strategy.

    If interested in more information about strategy, consider reading the following book which distills and integrates the works of 87 master strategists (Sun Tzu included): Strategic Advantage: How to Win in War, Business, and Life
  • Noell Nolting
    4.0 out of 5 stars An important book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2024
    I know this is a very important book that everyone should read. I'll be honest, by the end of it, I felt stupider than I was when I started it. That is my failing, not the books. I did get some stuff out of this. For me, it was a bit of a struggle. But I know it's a good book.
  • Reinold F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classical immortal wisdom, but outdated and nosy translator (AmazonClassics Edition)
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2019
    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.
  • Wilson
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2024
    "The Art of War" is an interesting book. I say this because while it is clearly a product of its time, i.e., very much rooted in ancient warfare, the book offers some timeless lessons, that are applicable both to personal and business circumstances, even in modern times. I particularly liked the ancient way of analyzing the battleground and how to choose battles. Reiterating my take, it's an interesting read. I'm giving it a three though as it still has its limitations and not all of the advice in the book can be applied to modern situations, some even controversial like the sending of spies.
  • Adrian Garcia Jr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Incredible
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024
    Sun Tzu was ahead of his time when it came to his cerebral warfare. He was always 100 steps ahead of the enemy and his allies by using pure strategy. We can all learn a lot about life through this book.
  • Aaron S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent work by the author, packaged poorly
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019
    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...
  • saleh
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2023
    The book is amazing if you tried to reflect these strategies on your day to day things to do. If u don't reflect, things will look too complex to understand for someone who never read about war things and strategies.
  • Thomas G. Cummings
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2023
    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.

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