For more than two thousand years, The Art of War has stood as the world's most influential treatise on strategy, leadership, and the nature of conflict. Attributed to the ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, this concise yet profound work distills the principles of preparation, adaptability, and decisive action into thirteen unforgettable chapters.
Written during the late Spring and Autumn period of China's history, the text draws upon a lifetime of military command and philosophical insight. Sun Tzu's counsel reaches far beyond the battlefield: he teaches that victory belongs not to the strongest force, but to the keenest mind - to those who understand terrain, timing, and the hidden currents that shape every encounter.
In these pages, rivers may be crossed without bridges, battles won without combat, and enemies defeated before they even engage. It is a philosophy rooted in observation, patience, and the art of shaping conditions so that success becomes inevitable.
This Autri Books edition presents The Art of War in a clear, unadorned format, accompanied by a newly written introductory and concluding note that frame the work as both a historical artifact and a living guide. Whether you are a leader, an entrepreneur, a student of history, or simply a reader drawn to timeless wisdom, Sun Tzu's words will challenge the way you think about conflict, decision-making, and the pursuit of lasting victory.
Industry Reviews
"A masterpiece of clarity and economy, teaching the reader to win without fighting." - Ancient Chinese Proverb
"No book has exercised a greater influence on the conduct of war in East Asia." - Lionel Giles, 1910 translation preface
"Its principles extend beyond the battlefield, offering a philosophy of adaptability for every human endeavor." - Traditional commentary
"Read in an hour, applied for a lifetime." - Eastern Maxim
"In strategy, nothing is more valuable than the wisdom that victory is won before battle is joined - and here it is set down in its purest form." - Adapted from historical Chinese sources