Apply Sun Tzu's Art of War

Author: Wu Liping, Wang Weifeng, Editors
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The Art of War and the 36 Stratagems are among the most enduring and widely disseminated popular military strategy books in China. They compile the "strategies" and "tactics" of generations of military strategists and are renowned as the "masterpieces of military strategy and tactics." They have long been esteemed, with the ancient saying, "To wage war like Sun Tzu, to strategize like the 36 Stratagems." Both works are rich in strategic thought and philosophical ideas, rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Based on the principles of ancient yin-yang transformations, they use dialectical reasoning to discuss relationships in warfare such as the (subtlety and overtness), (exertion and rest), (hardness and softness), and (attack and defense). The language is grand, profound, and innovative, profoundly influencing the development of ancient Chinese military thought.
The Art of War was compiled by Sun Wu, a native of Qi, around the Spring and Autumn period. It consists of 13 chapters, primarily structured around the principles of strategy as the vertical axis and the progression of war as the horizontal axis. With the passage of time, in today's diverse society, these excellent traditional wisdoms have not only been applied to military affairs but have also gained worldwide acclaim. Their influence has extended to politics, economics, philosophy, life, management, and many other fields, rejuvenating the ancient strategies with new vitality.
To promote the wisdom of these ancient strategies and meet reader demand, we have published this series, The Graphic Classics of the Art of War and the 36 Stratagems, comprising two volumes: The Art of War and the 36 Stratagems. We have drawn upon the strengths of various sources, introducing the original text, annotations, translations, origins of the stratagems, tactical tips, and battle examples. We have conducted necessary research and explanations on the original text and its meaning, providing insightful analyses of its essence and application, while citing typical battle examples. Our goal is to combine ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign, military, political, economic, and philosophical perspectives, enabling readers to accurately grasp the original meaning and more deeply appreciate the spirit of the works.
Complemented by exquisite illustrations, we strive for a harmonious blend of text and visuals, offering readers a feast for the eyes. We hope that readers can absorb wisdom from this series, draw inspiration from its stratagems in practice, and apply its tactics to achieve success and build their careers!