Sun Tzu's The Art Of War

The oldest known military treatise, Sun Tzu's the Art of War is still one of the world's most influential writings on strategic thought. Applicable everywhere from the boardroom to the bedroom, from the playing field to the battlefield, its wisdom has never been more highly regarded or used. Now available in its complete form-including an insightful English translation, the entire Chinese language text, and the original translator's often-omitted extensive use and discussion of Chinese characters-this essential examination of the art of strategic thinking features extensive commentary and an insightful historical introduction.

Sun Tzu originally named Sun Wu and also called Chang Qing, authored The Art of War in the sixth century BC. This military strategy book became one of the most influential books of war and Sun Tzu became well-known for being a military strategist, but also a realist international relations theory.

Lionel Giles worked in the British Museum for most of his professional life, becoming Keeper of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts in 1936. In addition to The Art of War, he also translated many other Chinese classics including The Sayings of Lao Tzu, Musings of a Chinese Mystic, The Sayings of Confucius, Taoist Teachings from the Book of Lieh Tzu, and The Book of Mencius.

John Minford is dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at the Open University of Hong Kong and has taught Chinese literature and translated numerous works including Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling and The Art of War.