First-Rate EditionJuly 4, 2006 14 out of 14 found this review helpful
The combination of the full Giles translation of Sun Tzu's famous treatise with a simple direct translation makes this edition really special. This particular edition has my highest recommendation. It fills several needs by providing the Chinese Text with a direct English translation together with the fully commented translation.
After you have read the full version with all of the comments and notes, you can really appreciate the rational simplicity of Sun Tzu's thirteen chapters. Without the background that the full translation provides, most of what Sun Tzu has to say can be easily misinterpreted and applied to all manner of activities. Having access immediate access to Giles' comments and notes, without having to be burdened by it when you just want to concentrate on what Sun Tzu had to say, makes this particular edition worth every penny.
Sun Tzu was a GeniusJuly 4, 2006 10 out of 16 found this review helpful
Although Sun Tzu was a military genius of the first rank and was very careful to be as clear as possible, it is painfully obvious that many readers have misunderstood a great deal of what he had to say. Indeed, many readers fail to appreciate the wisdom in his lessons. Like Ron White says: "You just can't fix stupid."
A Timeless ClassicMarch 26, 2006 11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Giles's translation of Sun Tzu is still the best, in spite of the best recent efforts. This particular "Special Edition" gives you two copies of Giles' excellent translation - with and without the embedded notes - a real plus. It allows you to commune with Sun Tzu's great book on more than one level.
It is amazing how timeless Sun Tzu's thinking is/was. His rational thought makes this ancient classic applicable to many areas. Military types consider it to be a foundation stone of Military Science. When they actually read it, Pacifists are usually surprised to find that Sun Tzu considered avoiding conflict the ultimate expression of military skill. Business types re-discover it from time to time and occasionally draw inferences that stretch credulity, but then, that's what really great literature does: it allows you to see threads of connection across disparate time and space.
It is probable that in another 2,500 years, Sun Tzu will still be relevant and topical. New translations will be required as our language changes, but for the present, this translation is still the best.
Still good adviceFebruary 25, 2006 1 out of 4 found this review helpful
What impress me most is that you can translate in today's terms and it is still good advice. Compare with what is actually happening in the world, and see bye yourself. Good thinking never age.
One of The Greatest Books Ever WrittenNovember 27, 2005 14 out of 15 found this review helpful
Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is the first known treatise on how to wage war in a professional manner. This little book was written some 2,500 years ago and has been considered to be the seminal work on warfare by nearly every military expert in the world since it became known to Western Civilization.
Sun Tzu pointed out that war is a terrible thing which should be avoided, if at all possible, but, when unavoidable should be carried out so as to minimize the destruction. He was the first to advocate that war should not be undertaken for trivial reasons and that it should be conducted by professionals who know how to do it right - who understand that no one gains from unnecessary death and destruction.
The minute details of his advice are no more directly applicable to modern military circumstances; or to other areas such as business, advertising or sports; than are those from other classic masterpieces of literature from ancient times. The value of this little book is in the philosophy, reason and intelligence it displays and promotes, not in the specifics that were applicable 2,500 years ago.
Sun Tzu's view that those who do not understand the gravity of war, who do not understand the necessity of a clear purpose and for specific goals to be achieved by military action, who do not understand the importance of discipline and effective leadership, etc... will surely come to grief is as true today as it has been throughout the history of the world.
This is merely one of the greatest books that has ever been written. It is an appeal for reason and rational behavior, even when conducting something as inherently irrational as war. Its lessons are monumentally important even if they are occasionally misunderstood and misapplied by those of limited intelligence.
