The Art Of War

The Art Of War

Cultural Writing. Philosophy. Asian Studies. Military History. Translated from the Chinese by Lin Wusun. THE ART OF WAR, written by Chinese philosopher Sun Tsu in the second century B.C., is a treatise on military strategy and warfare that has exerted a powerful influence on the development of both Eastern and Western philosophy and strategy. Although it is concerned with warfare, it repeatedly emphasizes the use of restraint, careful analysis, and, most importantly, introspection and cultivation of one's inner self. The text is also a profoundly nuanced and intimately revealing work of literature. Although often misunderstood as a selection of koans or idiomatic expressions, THE ART OF WAR, like the writings of Confucius and the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu, in reality forms one of the founding pillars of Chinese philosophical thought and is one of the finest examples of the "Golden Age" of Chinese classical prose.Review"A welcome addition to the growing body of studies on Sun Tzu's classic treatise about strategy." --Victor H. Mair, University of PennsylvaniaFrom the PublisherLong River Press was established in 2002. With an emphasis on history, literature, art, culture, and language, its mission is to publish outstanding fiction and nonfiction with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding between East Asia and the West. Long River Press is proud to publish Lin Wusun's new translation of THE ART OF WAR as its inaugural title.From the Inside FlapFor more than two thousand years the words of Sun Tzu, the founder of military science in ancient China, have exerted a powerful influence on the history and development of Eastern and Western philosophical thought, military strategy, and warfare. As a result, The Art of War has long been studied, analyzed, and adapted by scholars, battlefield commanders, and corporate CEOs. The Art of Warwas written during a time of great social and political upheaval in China. Although it is concerned with warfare, it repeatedly emphasizes the use of restraint, careful analysis, and, most importantly, introspection and cultivation of one's inner self.The Art of War is also a profoundly nuanced and intimately revealing work of literature. Although often misunderstood as a selection of koans or idiomatic expressions, The Art of War, like the writings of Confucius and Lao Tzu, in reality forms one of the founding pillars of Chinese philosophical thought and is one of the finest examples of the "Golden Age" of Chinese classical prose. The Art of War continues to offer lessons for those in all walks of life. It is one of those rare texts which will continue to influence the course of human civilization for centuries to come.About the AuthorSun Tzu . Sun is his family name, and Tzu is an honorific in classic Chinese, roughly equivalent to Sir, or the Learned Gentleman. His given name is. His style name is Changqing. Sun Tzu is traditionally believed to be the author of The Art of War, sometimes called the Sun Tzu, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy considered to be a prime example of Taoist strategy. Sun has had a significant impact on Chinese and Asian history and culture, both as an author of the Art of War and as a legendary figure. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Sun's The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society, and his work has continued to influence both Asian and Western culture and politics. Historians have questioned whether or not Sun was an authentic historical figure. Traditional accounts place him in the Spring and Autumn Period of China (722-481 BCE) as a heroic general of the King of Wu who lived c. 544-496 BCE. Scholars accepting his historicity place his supposed writing The Art of War in the Warring States Period (476-221 BCE), based on the descriptions of warfare in the text. Traditional accounts state that his descendant, Sun Bin, also wrote a master treatise on military tactics.