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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 1-59030-264-8
ISBN-13: 9781590302644
Publisher: Shambhala
Country:
Year: August 9, 2005
Size: 11.43 x 17.27 x 2.29cm
Number of pages: 224
Weight: 295gr
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 1-59030-264-8
ISBN-13: 9781590302644
Publisher: Shambhala
Country:
Year: August 9, 2005
Size: 11.43 x 17.27 x 2.29cm
Number of pages: 224
Weight: 295gr
Binding: Hardcover
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Product Description
Composed by two prominent statesmen-generals of classical China, this book develops the strategies of Sun Tzu's classic, The Art of War , into a complete handbook of organization and leadership. The great leaders of ancient China who were trained in Sun Tzu's principles understood how war is waged successfully, both materially and mentally, and how victory and defeat follow clear social, psychological, and environmental laws. Drawing on episodes from the panorama of Chinese history, Mastering the Art of War presents practical summaries of these essential laws along with tales of conflict and strategy that show in concrete terms the proper use of Sun Tzu's principles. The book also examines the social and psychological aspects of organization and crisis management. The translator's introduction surveys the Chinese philosophies of war and conflict and explores in depth the parallels between The Art of War and the oldest handbook of strategic living, the I Ching (Book of Changes).
Composed by two prominent statesmen-generals of classical China, this book develops the strategies of Sun Tzu's classic, The Art of War , into a complete handbook of organization and leadership. The great leaders of ancient China who were trained in Sun Tzu's principles understood how war is waged successfully, both materially and mentally, and how victory and defeat follow clear social, psychological, and environmental laws. Drawing on episodes from the panorama of Chinese history, Mastering the Art of War presents practical summaries of these essential laws along with tales of conflict and strategy that show in concrete terms the proper use of Sun Tzu's principles. The book also examines the social and psychological aspects of organization and crisis management. The translator's introduction surveys the Chinese philosophies of war and conflict and explores in depth the parallels between The Art of War and the oldest handbook of strategic living, the I Ching (Book of Changes).
reviews
Great Book 
I will not give a long narrative of this book but I think it is an excellent read of Zhuge Liang's ideas on strategy. Although not complete it is great stepping stone for anyone interested in Liang's ideas. From Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang has been viewed by myself as an incredible strategist and after reading this book I've gone on to read other books written or written about Liang. The Shambhala edition does have some bias but you cannot bias your own thoughts of Liang's strategies.
I will not give a long narrative of this book but I think it is an excellent read of Zhuge Liang's ideas on strategy. Although not complete it is great stepping stone for anyone interested in Liang's ideas. From Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang has been viewed by myself as an incredible strategist and after reading this book I've gone on to read other books written or written about Liang. The Shambhala edition does have some bias but you cannot bias your own thoughts of Liang's strategies.
An Excellent Study in Strategy.
All Art of War buffs have their own opinions of Thomas Cleary and Mr. Cleary has an obvious bias in this book. Having said that, one must understand that this is NOT »The Art of War« but rather a translation of Zhuge Liang's and Lin Ji's commentaries on the Art of War by Sun Tzu. I enjoyed it very much and found it had some things I had not read in The Art of War … and I've read and re-read most if not all of the translations, including Mr. Cleary's. As with The Art of War, I found a good deal of help in here for running my business. Business, after all, is indeed war. I highly recommend this book. Susanna K. Hutcheson Creative Director Powerwriting.com LLC http://www.powerwriting.com
All Art of War buffs have their own opinions of Thomas Cleary and Mr. Cleary has an obvious bias in this book. Having said that, one must understand that this is NOT »The Art of War« but rather a translation of Zhuge Liang's and Lin Ji's commentaries on the Art of War by Sun Tzu. I enjoyed it very much and found it had some things I had not read in The Art of War … and I've read and re-read most if not all of the translations, including Mr. Cleary's. As with The Art of War, I found a good deal of help in here for running my business. Business, after all, is indeed war. I highly recommend this book. Susanna K. Hutcheson Creative Director Powerwriting.com LLC http://www.powerwriting.com
Not as much insight into Zhuge Liang as I had hoped 
My review is not from the point of view of someone who is a fan of Sun Tzu's Art of War, nor a businessman seeking ancient answers to modern problems of business »warfare.« I am a psychologist, and a massive fan of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and I consider Zhuge Liang to be one of the greatest men in history. I bought this book hoping to get some insight into the psychology of Kongming but unfortunately found his essays to be quite dry and uninformative, at least for my purposes. However, Liu Ji's commentaries were a pleasant surprise, mostly due to the examples given from different periods of Chines history, including The Three Kingdoms period.
My review is not from the point of view of someone who is a fan of Sun Tzu's Art of War, nor a businessman seeking ancient answers to modern problems of business »warfare.« I am a psychologist, and a massive fan of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and I consider Zhuge Liang to be one of the greatest men in history. I bought this book hoping to get some insight into the psychology of Kongming but unfortunately found his essays to be quite dry and uninformative, at least for my purposes. However, Liu Ji's commentaries were a pleasant surprise, mostly due to the examples given from different periods of Chines history, including The Three Kingdoms period.
Beyond Sun Tzu 
Cleary, one of the most prolific translators of Eastern classics, presents two more treatises in this small volume: the military writings of Zhuge Liang and of Liu Ji. Zhuge's text, »The Way of the General,« presents several dozen aphoristic statements what is and is not desired in a commander. In many ways, this is what one might expect. It includes exhortations towards loyalty, responsiveness in battle, clear organization and thoughtful delegation, and the rest. Ills include arrogance, decadence, and corruption. Although somewhat interesting, this section of the book is easily forgotten. I found Liu Ji far more interesting. The text presents itself as a commentary on past masters, including Master Sun, the Book of the Latter Han Dynasty, Wei Laozi, and a variety of others. In a culture bound by tradition, »commentary« was often the only way to present original thinking without affront to the ancient ways. Rather than novel ideas, Liu presented an historical anecdote for each of the passages he cites, illustrating the traditional maxims in practical applications of warfare. I enjoyed this partly for its historical insights, but also for its references to other classic works. Like all of Cleary's translations, this one reads easily and offers modern commentary that helps place the works in their cultural contexts. I recommend this to any student of Asian classics or of the history of military strategy. -- wiredweird PS: Both of these texts are included in Cleary's Classics of Strategy and Counsel, Volume 1.
Cleary, one of the most prolific translators of Eastern classics, presents two more treatises in this small volume: the military writings of Zhuge Liang and of Liu Ji. Zhuge's text, »The Way of the General,« presents several dozen aphoristic statements what is and is not desired in a commander. In many ways, this is what one might expect. It includes exhortations towards loyalty, responsiveness in battle, clear organization and thoughtful delegation, and the rest. Ills include arrogance, decadence, and corruption. Although somewhat interesting, this section of the book is easily forgotten. I found Liu Ji far more interesting. The text presents itself as a commentary on past masters, including Master Sun, the Book of the Latter Han Dynasty, Wei Laozi, and a variety of others. In a culture bound by tradition, »commentary« was often the only way to present original thinking without affront to the ancient ways. Rather than novel ideas, Liu presented an historical anecdote for each of the passages he cites, illustrating the traditional maxims in practical applications of warfare. I enjoyed this partly for its historical insights, but also for its references to other classic works. Like all of Cleary's translations, this one reads easily and offers modern commentary that helps place the works in their cultural contexts. I recommend this to any student of Asian classics or of the history of military strategy. -- wiredweird PS: Both of these texts are included in Cleary's Classics of Strategy and Counsel, Volume 1.
Decent
This book is decent if you have not extensively looked at chinese strategy. It lists Zhuge Liang's Essays, however you can find those for free on many websites, as well as inside the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the reason you should get this book is mainly because it offers a lot of history on Liu Ji, which is a LOT harder to find almost anywhere, and that part of it is extremely valuable in my eyes.
This book is decent if you have not extensively looked at chinese strategy. It lists Zhuge Liang's Essays, however you can find those for free on many websites, as well as inside the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the reason you should get this book is mainly because it offers a lot of history on Liu Ji, which is a LOT harder to find almost anywhere, and that part of it is extremely valuable in my eyes.
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© 1994–2010 Sascha Hendel
last update: 3/10/2010
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