About the Book

This beloved Chinese classic is among the most prestigious and influential books of strategy available, providing timeless lessons on how to successfully, confidently, and efficiently handle conflict. It captures the essence of military strategy with techniques and instructions applicable to competition and conflict on every level and has been in the pockets of military leaders, politicians, executives, and scholars alike for hundreds of years. Thomas Cleary's translation has been a gold standard among translations for over three decades, offering the complete text in eminently readable prose with short commentaries by other ancient Chinese strategists and philosophers interwoven throughout.

Book Synopsis

The most prestigious and influential book on strategy and dealing with conflict, beautifully translated for clear, accessible reading.

In the words of Sun Tzu, "To win without fighting is best." This timeless Chinese classic captures the essence of military strategy used in ancient East Asia, with lessons on how to handle conflict confidently, efficiently, and successfully. The techniques and instructions discussed in The Art of War apply to competition and conflict on every level, from the interpersonal to the international. Its aim is invincibility, victory without battle, and unassailable strength through an understanding of the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict.

Thomas Cleary's translation is a breakthrough achievement that has been a gold standard among translations for three decades, offering the complete text in eminently readable prose with short commentaries by other ancient Chinese strategists and philosophers interwoven throughout.

Review Quotes

A Washington Post best-seller

"Absorb this book, and you can throw out all those contemporary books about management leadership."-- Newsweek

"A breast-pocket favorite of many commanders and U.S. Marines."-- Christian Science Monitor

"The Art of War soon could join Machiavelli's The Prince as required reading in the executive suite."-- USA Today

About the Author

THOMAS CLEARY holds a PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University and a JD from the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law. He is the translator of over fifty volumes of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Islamic texts from Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Pali, and Arabic.