The Art of Strategy: A New Translation of Sun Tzu's Classic The Art of War Paperback – April 1, 1988

Chinese language and culture differ so strongly from American thought and culture that it is impossible to think that a single translation of a classic Chinese text can give the reader the complete experience of having read the text in its original language and context. RL Wing's translation brilliantly shines a light on the ART OF WAR.I came to Wing's translation after having studied and studied the old public domain English translation with its copius notes and explanations. Wing gives the reader a tremendous insight into THE ART OF WAR, the brevity and compactness of Chinese language expression, the morality and thinking of Sun Tzu, and the different ways that the Eastern mind comprehends war from the Western mind.If you are a dedicated student of Sun Tzu's ART OF WAR, this translation belongs in your collection. I don't know if it's the best or not, but it's a vital translation. If peace is your highest aim and the resolution of conflict without coming to violence is your highest aspiration, this book displays the wisdom of the great general in terms that clarify meaning for Western readers.

"Strategy is the great Work of the Organization"...the reason Sun Tzu's mighty Classic has survived 23 centuries is because of its usefulness. One can apply his "calculations" to every conflict -- large or small -- in the one's own life or in the life of your company or nation. Here you learn to achieve through tactical positioning, to employ a strategy that can resolve inner conflicts, conflicts in the environment, conflicts with others, and conflicts among leaders...without limiting growth or compromising principles. This unique translation of the great Classic delivers a timeless truth in a practical and accessible format...Sun Tzu's original 13 chapters have been presented as 52 passages, each divided into 7 notations. In a year, conflicts can be left behind.The R.L. Wing translation is sublime, an English translation of a Chinese "universal" style that says in English what it must say in Chinese. No sooner than I receive a copy that I feel obliged to pass it on to a friend (or stranger) as a gift and deposit to mankind...and in time I buy another copy. I've memorized many passages and over the past 20 years the R.L. Wing's translation of the Sun Tzu Classic has become a foundation of a life intended to be victorious. The lessons are that important.

A translation of The Art of War by a Chinese guy not an English academic. Each page is a poem that gives insights in managing conflict within ones self, with family members, within groups and even nations. powerful stuff. I find I am constantly giving this book away to friends and having to buy a replacement.

This is an awesome book! Very useful in many aspects of daily life.

Why isn't it called the "Art of War?" Because Wing hits on a point missed by most translations. Sun Tzu's objective in writing the classic book was, as Wing puts it, "The achievement of triumph through tactical positioning, without resorting to battle."The book is divided as the original. Brief, to the point, and put forth in such a way to invite the reader to contemplate each section, with comments by the author as to how it relates to different levels of conflict...environmental, interpersonal, between leaders, and within ones self. This structure allows the reader to use this book as both discovery and reminder. I've carried the book around for years, using it to remind me how to deal with situations.I've read several versions of "the Art of War," and value this one the most. It's highly recommended, and very useful, both personally and professionally.

Great for anyone trying to navigate through live successfully

This is the best translation I've ever read. Too bad its out of print.

It is actually a very cool book. Having two sides to it and aged perfectly when used.

:)

I have bought many of these for my tao classes. a book which fits in with any form of study. Recommend thought I might add more to my original review.I followed this as suggested for a year. Not expecting great results, as Wing does not suggest 'study', only to read the relevant piece for a week. So, I did. And I have a strategy. I don't walk around thinking strategy but am aware that my assessments are clearly strategic. I go back to this book, when I am introducing a student to its possibilities, reading the whole book over a week maybe. This is where I become most aware that by following the simple suggested program I have ingested the principles . Following discussions and arguments I seem to be more insightful, in my work I am more open-minded and my studies are more on the level of insightful. I have learned through the use of this book that everything has a strategy.I thought I would add something more specific.: I am sharing the use of this book with a group of friends, all in recovery. I translate each page into the contents of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. A difficult process at first, it becomes more obvious each time we go back over it. This is just to suggest that translating the content into a program or system you already use broadens, enhances and makes more assessable that program.