Short description
An ancient Chinese treatise on the strategies of war stresses the importance of speed, sound tactics, subterfuge, discipline, appropriate form of attack, and accurate intelligence.
Long description
Compiled more than 2000 years ago by a mysterious warrior-philosopher, this is a book of strategy. Studied by modern politicians and executives and military leaders since ancient times, this is a study of competition and conflict on every level, from the interpersonal to the international. Cleary's translation brings out the insights into human nature that underlie this book.;Thomas Cleary holds a doctorate in East Asian Languages and Civilisation from Harvard University and is the translator of many classic texts of Buddhism, Taoism and "I Ching" studies.
Review
A mini-sized translation of the 2000-year-old Chinese classic on stategy, whose ideas, which are as applicable to individuals as to whole armies, are just as relevant today as they were then - although more often applied to management or politics than to warfare. There are maxims and analysis on any topic a corporate warrior could ponder, including strategic assessment, doing battle, planning a siege, terrain and even the use of spies. A timeless gem. (Kirkus UK)