Art of War

The Art of War has been a source of great strategical inspiration throughout the ages. Focusing on military strategy, psychology and tactics, each section concentrates on a different facet of warfare and draws out important themes such as communication, strength and positioning. Believed to have been written by Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, The Art of War is highly regarded amongst Chinese culture, but its enduring wisdom has had a far-reaching impact all over the world. Includes an extended introduction.

Andrew R. Wilson (introduction) is a professor of Strategy & Policy at the U.S. Naval War College, where he teaches a mix of strategic theory and military history to help hone the critical analysis skills of military officers. In particular, he looks at how the classics of Chinese military thought, including Sun Tzu, have influenced Chinese strategic behaviour from the early Imperial period to the present. He received a PhD in History and East Asian Languages from Harvard University and taught Chinese history at Harvard and at Wellesley College prior to joining the Naval War College faculty in 1998, where he currently holds the John A. van Beuren Chair of Asia-Pacific Studies.

The ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu was estimated to have been living between c. 544 and 496 BC. Also known under the names Sun Wu and Sunzi, Sun Tzu is widely credited as being the author of The Art of War, an ancient and world-renowned Chinese military strategy book. A great influence on Chinese history and culture, Sun Tzu’s beliefs are known through his writing and told through legend.