First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This deluxe hardcover edition of "The Art of War" presents Sun Tzu's timeless instructions regarding military strategy and managing conflict in two forms.
The first part contains "The Art of War" in English, without notes or commentary. This allows the reader to understand the teachings of Sun Tzu, without the distraction of footnotes or excessive comments. As translated by Lionel Giles, the text is succinct and very easy to read.
The second part contains the complete translation by Lionel Giles, along with his definitive critical commentary. Written during the Victorian era, his "Introduction" gives the reader a chance to share the wonder of discovery which Western scholars experienced when approaching Sun Tzu for the first time. Although written in the 6th century BCE, the teachings of Sun Tzu are still found today in the martial arts, legal doctrine, military schools, management seminars and pervasively throughout popular culture.
Excerpt from "The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Classic Edition." Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1. Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.
4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if quietly encamped, he can force him to move.
5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
6. An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.
7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

"He will win who knows when to fight -- and when not to fight."

This is the classic translation of the Chinese military masterpiece, and it remains the best as it preserves the character and nuances of the Chinese original. An inspiration for Mao Tse Tung and countless generations of military leaders, it was written in antiquity and consists of thirteen chapters that reflect the mind of a born strategist and practical soldier whose maxims, full of acuteness and common sense, relate as much to the present day as they do to the military conditions of the time in which they were written. Preceded by critical notes on Sun Tzu and his work and including key Chinese characters, chapters are devoted to laying plans; waging war; attack by strategem, tactical dispositions, energy, weak points, and strong; maneuvering; variation of tactics; the army on the march; terrain; the nine situations; attack by fire; and the use of spies. The book also contains an extensive index. As useful in the pursuit of success in modern business as it was in ancient warfare, this volume also relates to all aspects of personal and everyday life in which you must either be a winner or a loser.

Featuring the Chinese text on the left and the English translation on the right, this beautifully bound edition of Sun Tzu's classic text makes a unique gift or collector's item. Written in the sixth century BCE, Sun Tzu's The Art of War is still widely read and consulted today for its timeless, piercing insights into strategy and tactics. Napoleon, Mao Zedong, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and General Douglas MacArthur all claimed to have drawn inspiration from it. Beyond the world of war, business and management gurus have also applied Sun Tzu's ideas to office politics and corporate strategy. This edition of The Art of War is printed on high-quality paper and bound by traditional Chinese book-making techniques. It contains the full 13 chapters on such topics as laying plans, attacking by stratagem, weaponry, terrain, and the use of spies. Sun Tzu addresses different campaign situations, marching, energy, and how to exploit your enemy's weaknesses. This edition is an essential addition to any library, whether you're fascinated by the philosophy of warfare, Chinese history, or even twenty-first-century business.

Sun Tzu's classic on military strategy is profound and absolutely clear. It is valuable in the political and business world today. We present the definitive translation, by Lionel Giles, assistant curator at the British Museum and Keeper of the Department of Oriental Manuscript.