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The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition | 
 enlarge | Author: Sun Tzu
Creator: Lionel Giles
Publisher: El Paso Norte Press
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $11.49
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Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 10027
Media: Paperback
Edition: Special
Pages: 268
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0976072696
Dewey Decimal Number: 355
EAN: 9780976072690
ASIN: 0976072696
Publication Date: March 21, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Includes US Priority Mail shipping with tracking number at no extra charge.
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Product Description
This Special Edition of The Art of War by Sun Tzu presents this timeless classic in two forms: Section I contains the complete thirteen chapters of Sun Tzu's masterpiece in Chinese together with the English translation of Lionel Giles without notes or commentary. This presentation avoids the objection that commentary tends to clutter and obscure the clarity of thought of the ancient military genius. Section II contains the complete translation by Lionel Giles including his extensive introduction and the fully annotated text with explanatory notes and critical commentary. His Introduction includes an historical account of Sun Tzu's work, evaluations by and of early Chinese commentators, an essay examining the traditional Chinese attitudes toward war and a bibliography that details Giles' source materials. The text in this section includes critical commentary and notes by both the Chinese historians as well as by Giles himself. Lionel Giles, as the Keeper of the Department of Oriental printed Books and Manuscripts of the British Museum, was uniquely qualified to translate and explain this great classic Chinese work to Western readers. First published in 1910, Giles' translation is widely considered to be the definitive English version. Other Special Editions in this series which deal with the subject of warfare and strategy include:
The Art of War By Mao Tse-tung - Special Edition
The Art of War By Baron De Jomini - Special Edition
The Art of War & The Prince By Machiavelli - Special Edition
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 The Best Edition August 25, 2006
Richard York
56 out of 57 found this review helpful
This special edition of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" (The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Special Edition) is absolutely the best edition on the market. Not only is Lionel Giles' translation widely considered to be the most readable and scholarly, this particular book gives you two copies of the famous classic: one simple direct translation from the Chinese characters (which are also included in the book) and another copy which is interspersed with extensive notes and commentary by both Lionel Giles and a several native Chinese scholars.
Having two copies of the translation in one volume makes this edition a real treasure. The explanations and details, like the story of training the concubines and several other tales, are not available in the plain translations and they add immeasurably to the richness of the book. By the same token, having a plain, unadorned version in hand so you can just follow Sun Tzu's logical progression is a great plus. Having it all together in one volume is what makes this particular edition remarkable.
If you are looking for the best version of Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", then look no further. This is it.
A Great Classic May 7, 2005
Jack Pellhan
47 out of 47 found this review helpful
Sun Tzu's great classic work has been read, re-read and appreciated in China and the East for about 2,500 years. Even today, major Japanese corporations are said to require their executives to be intimately familiar with "The Art of War" for its value as a source of strategy. Napoleon was said to have been influenced by this book - as was Karl von Clausewitz and most modern day military planners around the world.
For an ancient work to have had and still have such a following is ample evidence of its importance. Its current day applications range from military strategy to business philosophy to sales training to computer games. More important than the information contained in "The Art of War" is the logical mindset, the rational point of view that Sun Tzu presents, that contributes to the timelessness of the great book.
Of the numerous editions of "The Art of War" that are available, this Special Edition that contains the Chinese characters, an uncommented English translation, and the full Giles translation with an introduction and annotation is undoubtedly the pick of the litter. It has been said of the Giles translation that it is "somewhat dated". The same could be said of Sun Tzu's great classic itself. Yet it stands, unequaled.
Excellent Edition !!! December 9, 2006
Lee Hall
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
This particular edition of Sun Tzu's Art of War is really excellent. It contains three separate copies of Sun Tzu's book:
1. The original Chinese text (in modern simplified Chinese characters),
2. A facing version of Lionel Giles' superb translation into English (without notes or comments) and
3. The complete Giles Translation with an extensive introduction and notes throughout the text that provides detailed insight into the meaning and intentions of the text.
Of all the versions of Sun Tzu's book on the market, this one is undoubtedly the best. The scholarship and detail to attention of this edition pays the respect and gives the credit to the great work that it deserves. Other, abbreviated, versions of Sun Tzu's book have their place, but not for those who actually want to understand the lessons of history that have been passed down through the centuries. The meaning of the text, after 25 centuries, requires the perspective of an oriental scholar with Giles' credentials. It is unlikely that the bare English translation, without notes or commentary, can convey to a modern reader the real meaning and intentions of a 2,000 year old Chinese genius.
Lionel Giles's translation is the gold standard for Sun Tzu. His deep understanding of ancient Chinese culture and his own roots in Western culture gave him a unique opportunity to bridge the gap and present native English speakers the opportunity to really understand and appreciate the mindset of this voice from antiquity.
This edition does NOT contain a CD. In spite of the masterful use of the English language by Lionel Giles, the Art of War is not poetry and probably doesn't benefit from oral recitation. This particular edition is THE BOOK for those whose native language is English... and who know how to read.
Foundation of Military Science July 4, 2006
Bill Moore
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
Sun Tzu's "Art of War" is truly one of the great military classics of all time. Although it is over 2000 years old, virtually all modern military academies consider it to be a cornerstone of the Military Science curriculum. Sun Tzu's attitude toward war, as an expensive and unfortunate necessity that needs to be dealt with in a rational manner, is presented from the outset and it establishes the basis for his lessons.
His steps in logical progression through the essential elements: motivation, logistics, strategy, tactics and intelligence are, of course, dated. The most important element is the value of applying intelligent, rational consideration to develop the most effective course of action given the circumstances at hand.
The number of absolutely essential books on warfare can probably be counted on one hand. This one is number one.
 Historically important but overhyped for the modern reader November 14, 2005
magellan (Santa Clara, CA)
17 out of 38 found this review helpful
Although this book has many advantages over the other editions I've seen, including the complete Chinese text along with the English translations, with special annotations and commentaries, and an extensive introduction, unfortunately I have to say that I found the work of only limited value today in regard to the military strategy, what with the existence of mechanized armor, artillery, and air power, all of which didn't exist in Sun Tzu's day, and of almost zero value in the world of business, another area where for some reason Sun Tzu's ideas have been applied by the more creative but less logical and economically literate thinkers out there. Hence, the work is mostly relevant today in regard to ground engagements with very basic weapons. Even modern infantry has weapons and capabilities that go far beyond anything available in Sun Tzu's day, although some of his ideas might still be useful there.
As seen from many of the reviews here, westerners continually misinterpret Oriental classics like this and apply them to situations where they are not applicable--and where even the Chinese wouldn't think of using them. This is a book about war, and has very little relevance to business. You'd think people would have taken a clue from the title, "The Art of War." It's doesn't say, "The Art of Business." What part of the title didn't they understand?
For example, one reviewer very perceptively pointed out what is probably the worst problem with interpreting Sun Tzu's work in the light of business strategy, which is that the best strategy in business is a win/win situation: if I win and you lose, you will never do business with me again. I would certainly agree with this and again would reiterate that this is a book about war, not about business strategy.
And Bernie, a top 50 reviewer, said, "As a Project Manager I can tell you that this book has little value to today's business. Projects are about efficiency, cooperation, and ROI not war." I would agree with this also based on 10 years I spent as a project manager in one of America's largest and most successful Fortune 500 companies.
Also (assuming the story is true), anybody who would behead two of the Emperor's most beautiful concubines because they giggled during a marching exercise for the Emperor is a real dirtbag (regardless of whether it was 2300 years ago or not) and should apply for membership in the Nazi Hall of Fame (more like Hall of Shame). Considering the anti-sexual harrassment environment of modern big business, I don't think Sun Tzu's actions would win him many points there.
The best way to look at this book is as a classic that represented a high point in the military thinking and strategy of its time, but which has since been superceded. Basically this amounts to saying the work has historical value, but the work has been overhyped and oversold far beyond its real value to the modern reader. As an important historical book relating to the conditions and circumstances of the time, no doubt Sun Tzu's work still provides important information and insights there.
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