Reviews

The Complete Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi, Brian Nishii, Kenji Tokitsu

pizzamcpin3ppl3's review

adventurous challenging informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.75

sadia_siddiqua's review against another edition

slow-paced

1.0

8797999's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting book and read, one I think it would take several reads to full appreciate. Very quotable and I am happy to have now read this book to go along with The Art of War and Tao Te Ching.

If I were to rank them by which I got most out of and enjoyment it would be:

1. The Art of War
2. The Complete Book of Five Rings
3. Tao Te Ching

brucy's review

challenging informative fast-paced

4.0

chemistry_goodness's review against another edition

5.0

My rating isn't one about the original work but my perception of the author's work in translating it. It's a very extensive one with copious notes about background and reasons for the translation choices.

dzengota's review against another edition

3.0

The first two section of the Book of Five Rings are what I think most people are there for when they go to this text. That is where some truly interesting philosophy of the sword is placed in a smooth curtness of someone who has made killing a precise art. The later books, and even the translator makes this note, are extremely precise details about individual techniques. Thats pretty interesting at first, reading about following up on certain reactions with a quarter turn of the blade this way or that way, but as it progresses it gets harder to maintain interest in reading without application.

I really respect the flex of, at the end of section of writing, saying: You should dwell on this, or Practice this as I have instructed.

isaach12's review against another edition

1.0

this seemed like a repetive and poor translation of Musashi's work, where it seemed to have pulled a lot from Sun Tsu than anything else. i dont know why this one didnt hold up where the Kauffman translation always seems to be enlightening and invigorating.

ids100's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

coach_panda's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

5.0

This is a very slow read as it is very philosophical. The book was written in a complete different time in a complete different culture but the themes can ring true through today. Much like the art of war there is value in reading between the lines and seeing beyond what is written on the pages.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War

drigoangelo's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

Uma dos primeiros audibooks que eu terminei. Gostei da narração.

Essa edição conta com bastante material extra que enriquecem a leitura. Além do Go rin no sho - Livro dos cinco anéis, tem uma introdução que conta a vida do Musashi, bem como mostra quais detalhes da vida dele sobre os quais há consenso ou não. O editor/tradutor também se posiciona algumas vezes, argumentando e se mostrando favorável a uma ou outra possível versão dos fatos.

Além disso, essa edição também conta com outros textos escritos por Musashi, que o editor compara com o Livro dos Cinco Anéis, e contextualiza historicamente e no período da vida do Musashi em que foram escritos.

Sobre o Livro dos Cinco Anéis em si, a maior parte são técnicas de luta com espadas, mas várias passagens incitam reflexões que podem ser levadas para outras áreas da vida. No geral, considero que compensa a leitura, principalmente para pessoas que se interessem pela vida do Musashi.