Research Catalog

Title

The art of war = [Sun-tzu ping fa] / Sun-tzu ; translated, with introductions and commentary by Ralph D. Sawyer ; with the collaboration of Mei-Chün Lee Sawyer.

Author

Sunzi, active 6th century B.C.

Publication

Boulder : Westview Press, 1994.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Sawyer, Ralph D.
• Sawyer, Mei-chün
• Sawyer, Mei-chün

Description

375 p.; 21 cm.

Summary

This work is the most famous study of military strategy ever written and has had an extraordinary influence on the history of warfare. Its principles were used by Mao Tse-tung, General Vo Ngyuen Giap, and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. First translated two hundred years ago, it has been credited with influencing Napoleon, the German general staff, and even the planning for Operation Desert Storm. Today, Western businessmen and other are turning to it for inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive situations of all kinds. Unlike other editions currently available, this translation make use of the best available classical Chinese manuscripts, including the ancient tomb text version discovered by archaeologists at Linyi, China. The author places this classic work of strategy in its proper historical context by supplying a portrait of Sun-Tzu's era and outlining several battles of the period that may have either influenced him or been conducted by him.

Series Statement

History and warfare

Uniform Title

• Sunzi bing fa. English
• History and warfare

Alternative Title

• Sunzi bing fa.
• Sun-tzu ping fa.
• Sunzi bing fa

Subject

• Sunzi, 6th cent. B.C
• Military art and science > Early works to 1800
• Military Science > China

Genre/Form

Early works

Note

• Parallel title in Chinese characters.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Preface -- A note on the translation and pronunciation -- Chronology of approximate dynastic periods -- General introduction and historical background -- Introduction -- The art of war in translation. 1. Initial estimations -- 2. Waging war -- 3. Planning offensives -- 4. Military disposition -- 5. Strategic military power -- 6. Vacuity and substance -- 7. Military combat -- 8. Nine changes -- 9. Maneuvering the army -- 10. Configurations of terrain -- 11. Nine terrains -- 12. Incendiary attacks -- 13. Employing spies -- Tomb texts and lost writings -- Notes to the general introduction and historical background -- Selected notes to the introduction -- Notes to the translation -- Notes to the tomb texts and lost writings -- Selected bibliography -- Glossary -- Index.

ISBN

081331951X

LCCN

^^^93047372^

OCLC

• 29549062
• SCSB-11304319

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library