Civilization might have been spared much of the damage suffered in the world wars this century if the influence of Clausewitz's On War had been blended with and balanced by a knowledge of Sun-tzu's The Art of Warfare. --B.H. Liddel Hart

For two thousand years, Sun-tzu's The Art of Warfare was the indispensable volume of warcraft. Although his work is the first known analysis of war and warfare, Sun-tzu struck upon a thoroughly modern concept: "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." Karl von Clausewitz, the canny military theorist who famously declared that war is a continuation of politics by other means, also claims paternity of the notion "total war." His is the magnum opus of the era of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic vars.

Now these two great military minds are made to share the same tent, metaphorically speaking, in The Book of War. What a bivouac it is, and what a conversation into the night.

Military writer Ralph Peters has written a new Introduction for this Modern Library edition.

Reader Reviews

BeamOfSunlight

(3/5)

Apr 19, 2024

The best translation of The Art of Warfare combined with an excellent translation of Clausewitz.

Robert

(5/5)

I must read for anyone interested in history, military, and politics.

Jason

Strategy and tactics from wars past that can be adapted to fit any personal interaction...can't we all just get along?

Adrian Solorzano

(4/5)

Excellent translation. Worth the purchase. Some outdated concepts but overall an important work of art that includes two historically important books.

Tao (Steven) Zheng

This edition got to be my favourite edition of Sun Tzu's Art of War (in English). You got archaeological and historical notes at the start, the text in the original Chinese (traditional characters too!) and English translation, as well as newly unearthed content in addition to the original text! A gold mine of information for those interested in military thought and strategy.

Nate Hill

An excellent compilation of two (of three in my opinion) seminal works on warfare. I prefer this translation of Clausewitz (Jolle) vice the Paret/Howard editions. Clausewitz is hard to understand if you think in 21st Century terms/schema; however, if you consider his work through the lens of the classic (vice Hegelian) dialectic, his work is much easier to understand. The principles that KvC identifies still have merit today.

Nicholas Whyte

http://nhw.livejournal.com/791254.html[return][return]A series of aphorisms from two and a half millennia ago about how to win wars: in summary, by having a better idea of what you are doing, and preparing your own troops accordingly, than your opponent. The advice is sufficiently general that I'm not surprised to see it quoted in management handbooks, and I guess also in advice to thrusting young Wall Street brokers too.[return][return]Two points slightly jumped out at me. The first was the sug...

Brent

Military Strategy"

Brandy Salazar

Powerful. Many a politician and/or civilian would benefit from reading and gaining an insight into how strategic warfare is devised and executed and the repercussions of both.

Alejandra Aristizábal

Excellent descriptions on war, from a very Confucianist point of view, suitable for all countries, situations and peoples.A great hint on strategy concepts.

Jay-p

The Art of War by Sun Tzu (1971)

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The Book of War: Sun-tzu The Art of Warfare & Karl von Clausewitz On War

The Book of War: Sun-tzu The Art of Warfare & Karl von Clausewitz On War

The Book of War: Sun-tzu The Art of Warfare & Karl von Clausewitz On War

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