manifeststefany's review against another edition
4.0
Something I re-read every few years. The advice changes as I do. Still a good business mindset book.
westenra's review against another edition
Everyone saying this is useful outside the military application is so full of shit. Go read a philosophy book guys.
Read this out of curiosity & to help write fantasy battles. A lot of this ancient wisdom feels like common sense now.
Read this out of curiosity & to help write fantasy battles. A lot of this ancient wisdom feels like common sense now.
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
5.0
Sunzi (apparently, Sun Tzu is a Romanization of Sunzi) was a Chinese general in the 1st century BCE. Art of War, as the name implies, is Sun Tzu's advice for being victorious in war. In the modern era, this book has taken on a new life as a book for leaders and professionals. The book is not a complicated read nor a long read, but it is "thick" with wisdom. Here are some nuggets that I gleaned:
"The wise warrior avoids the battle."
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."
"All warfare is based on deception."
"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare."
"Being prepared for all circumstances is what ensures certain victory, for it means you are fighting an enemy who is already beaten."
"To make the force of your army's attack like a grind stone crushing an egg, you must master the substantial and the insubstantial."
"Never employ the same strategy twice, use the infinite variety at your disposal."
"Never attack uphill, no defend downhill; do not be lured into attack by feigned flight, and do not attack an enemy who is rested and full of fight. Do not swallow the bait put out for you, and do not get in the way of an army that is homeward bound. When you surround an enemy, always leave them a way out, and do not press a cornered foe too hard."
"A wise leader always considers both advantages and disadvantages equally."
"If you treat your soldiers like your children, you can lead them into the deepest darkest places; if you see them as your beloved sons, they'll stand by you to the death. If, however, you are too soft and do not establish a firm leadership, too kindly and do not enforce your orders, if you are lax in your organization and cannot keep control - then your troops will be as useless to you as spoilt children."
"Treat every man in your army exactly the same."
"Do not ask them simply to trust your word, show them with your actions."
"Do not move unless you see a clear advantage. Do not use your soldiers unless there is something to be gained. Do not fight if you are not in danger."
"The wise warrior avoids the battle."
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."
"All warfare is based on deception."
"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare."
"Being prepared for all circumstances is what ensures certain victory, for it means you are fighting an enemy who is already beaten."
"To make the force of your army's attack like a grind stone crushing an egg, you must master the substantial and the insubstantial."
"Never employ the same strategy twice, use the infinite variety at your disposal."
"Never attack uphill, no defend downhill; do not be lured into attack by feigned flight, and do not attack an enemy who is rested and full of fight. Do not swallow the bait put out for you, and do not get in the way of an army that is homeward bound. When you surround an enemy, always leave them a way out, and do not press a cornered foe too hard."
"A wise leader always considers both advantages and disadvantages equally."
"If you treat your soldiers like your children, you can lead them into the deepest darkest places; if you see them as your beloved sons, they'll stand by you to the death. If, however, you are too soft and do not establish a firm leadership, too kindly and do not enforce your orders, if you are lax in your organization and cannot keep control - then your troops will be as useless to you as spoilt children."
"Treat every man in your army exactly the same."
"Do not ask them simply to trust your word, show them with your actions."
"Do not move unless you see a clear advantage. Do not use your soldiers unless there is something to be gained. Do not fight if you are not in danger."
hanzy's review against another edition
4.0
What I like most about this book is how relevant the strategies are despite being written thousands of years ago and how it promotes attack mode as the last resort of defence.
randomgirlmia's review against another edition
3.0
A melhor política diz-nos ele, está em “atacar os planos do inimigo” e a segunda será o desfazer-lhe as alianças, já que “vencer o exército adversário sem o combater é o apogeu da arte”.
baralillaannie's review against another edition
Hm I found it interesting despite not being my cup of tea. Not really sure what to rate it so I won’t. Feel like it could be applied to life as well “appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak” “one may know how to conquer without being able to do it” “if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself, but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy of yourself you will succumb in every battle”