The Art Of War

December 4, 2000
Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way Sun Tzu's The Art of War is undisputedly one of the bestselling leadership books of all time. This new translation by the Denma Translation Group--led by Kidder Smith (Sung Dynasty Uses of the I Ching), an Asian studies expert at Bowdoin College, and James Gimian, publisher of the Shambhala Sun magazine--helps bridge the gap between the ancient Chinese oral tradition and today's modern reader. It's supplemented with essays and commentary that demonstrate just how much this message of victory without aggression still resonates with how we conduct all aspects of our lives today.

November 1, 2002
Sun-tzu's The Art of War has led military strategists, economists, politicians and other leaders for more than 2,000 years, and has been translated numerous times. Scholar Minford takes a crack at it here, offering a new translation, introduction and commentary. This fundamental volume could be one of the best in recent years, as it features notes on pronunciation, suggestions for further reading, a chronology of Chinese dynasties and historical events, and more. After these briefings, Minford separates the book in two: first, a straightforward translation of Sun-tzu's book, and second, the translation coupled with commentary. "The Art of War is both inspirational and worrying. It is beautiful and chilling....It lends itself to infinite applications," Minford writes. Indeed, this new translation is accessible to anyone seeking guidance, whether they're learning to drive defensively, ironing out relationship kinks or conducting war.

February 14, 1994
This new translation of the ancient Chinese military treatise includes chapters of historical analysis touching on its relevance to today's corporate environment.

March 10, 1983
The workplace is a battlefield, according to author, speaker and businesswoman Chu. In her latest, she distills The Art of War, Taoist philosopher-general Sun Tzu's international bestseller on the fundamental elements of warfare and business strategy, into a primer and call-to-arms for working women. In vivid battlefield terminology, Chu covers everything from promotions and work attire to dealing with sexual harassment and male chauvinist co-workers. Lessons tend toward a "universal nuggets of wisdom" format; one of the keys Chu advances is "Know Thyself," because "how well you know the world around you is directly proportional to how well you know yourself." Other chapters cover the disposition of winning, conflict strategy, the utility of imagination, techniques for management and "fireproofing yourself." At a time when the ideal of a full, fulfilling work and home life seems more difficult than ever to achieve, Chu's primer on becoming "an effective strategist and warrior" will give doubters cause for reconsideration.