The Art of War

Author: Sun Tzu (Spring and Autumn Period) / Commented by Ma Yifu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This book explores various aspects such as talent management in enterprises, economic intelligence, business momentum, commercial warfare, flexibility, enterprise cooperation, market competition, corporate image, customer persuasion, team spirit, decision-making, business opportunities, and planning. Based on practical cases from modern commercial warfare and incorporating the essence of The Art of War, it reveals the profound connections between The Art of War and modern business strategies. It is believed that every reader will find the experience and lessons they need in this book. The Art of War is a shining treasure in the classical military cultural heritage of China and an important part of China's excellent cultural tradition. Its content is vast and profound, with rich and subtle thoughts and rigorous logic. Written by the great military strategist Sun Tzu during the Spring and Autumn Period, it was approximately completed in the late Spring and Autumn Period. Since its inception, it has had a significant and far-reaching impact on the development of ancient Chinese military science and has been revered as the "Military Canon" and the "Ancestor of Military Discourses for Generations." Generations of military strategists and generals have drawn nourishment from it to guide military practice and develop military theory. During the Three Kingdoms period, the famous political and military strategist Cao Cao provided a systematic commentary on The Art of War, opening the door for later generations to study and apply it. The Art of War is not only a storehouse of Chinese strategy but also enjoys a worldwide reputation. It was introduced to Japan in the 8th century and to Europe in the 18th century. Today, it has been translated into 29 languages and is widely circulated around the world. The renowned British military theorist Liddell Hart once revealed that the viewpoints he expounded in his military works could actually be found in The Art of War from 2,500 years ago. He was indeed deeply interested in Sun Tzu and his works, not only writing a preface for the English translation of The Art of War but also extensively quoting Sun Tzu's maxims at the beginning of his own masterpiece, Strategy. In the 1991 Gulf War, U.S. Marine Corps officers were ordered to carry a copy of The Art of War for reading on the battlefield. The Art of War has been recorded through the ages. In April 1972, bamboo slips of The Art of War were unearthed from the Han Dynasty tomb at Yinque Mountain in Linyi County, Shandong Province, representing the earliest surviving version. Unfortunately, it is fragmented and cannot reveal its full scope. The most important existing versions are the Eleven Commentaries on the Art of War published during the Ningzong period of the Southern Song Dynasty, as well as the Seven Military Classics printed and copied in the Song Dynasty. Among these, the Eleven Commentaries on the Art of War in the Song edition, after being collated and commented on by Sun Xingyan in the Qing Dynasty, became the most widely circulated, influential, and practical edition in modern times. This electronic edition of The Art of War is based on the collation and proofreading of The Top Ten Famous Military Classics of China · Sun Tzu, edited by Yuan Lunkun and Zhang Wencai, published by Liaoning People's Publishing House in January 2000. (The Liaoning edition of Sun Tzu uses the photocopied Song Dynasty Eleven Commentaries on the Art of War published by Zhonghua Book Company in 1961.)