Sonshi's Official Art of War Book:
Now you can experience the effectiveness of Sun Tzu's teachings even if you have no previous knowledge of The Art of War. Insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary explains the subtleties of the text, allowing you to unlock the power of its teachings and help prevent and resolve the conflicts in your own life. Go to book detail page.
Buy Sonshi's Official Art of War Book
Sonshi Strategy Course:
A better way to study and understand Sun Tzu's Art of War. You also help support Sonshi.com by subscribing to this year-long program. In the program, you will master 351 Sun Tzu concepts in a structured and disciplined manner. From the editors of Sonshi.com. More information
The Best Art of War Books:
One of the most common questions asked on Sonshi.com is "which Art of War book should I buy?" Listed below is our independent review of the most reputable Sun Tzu versions on the market -- and what we have in our own collection. And because we have partnered with Amazon.com, you can conveniently purchase any version on our list by clicking on its book cover. (To maintain our impartiality, we did not include the official Sonshi edition in this ranking.)
-
Dr. Victor Mair
- HARDCOVER
- 256 pages
- Columbia University
Press
- October 2007
$ 13.57
Dr. Victor H. Mair's 2007 scholarly book, The Art of War: Sun Zi's Military Methods (published by Columbia University Press), provides not only an accurate translation of The Art of War but also the most recent research into its origin.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Victor Mair.
With a knack for Sinitic etymology, Sinitic lexicography, and the origins and evolution of Chinese script, Victor Mair pushed for Chinese language reforms in exceptional efforts such as how Chinese dictionaries should be best arranged. Dr. Mair's expertise allows him to break new ground in his Art of War translation and book which contains bold and original data, analyses, and theories. Like a scientist, he methodically asserts evidences to challenge our current knowledge and leaves us with renewed scholarship and appreciation for The Art of War. You won't regret owning this refreshing, authoritative, and well-researched edition.
Victor Mair is a professor of Chinese language and literature at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Dartmouth College (where he was captain of the Dartmouth basketball team and tasked to guard Bill Bradley from Princeton), served in the Peace Corps in Nepal, and holds a master's degree from University of London and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He has taught at Kyoto University in Japan and at Sichuan University in China.
After much deate and discussion, Sonshi.com is ranking Victor Mair's The Art of War: Sun Zi's Military Methods the #1 Art of War edition; how rare a book that courageously stands up to centuries of established thought, proceeds to knock it down with sound logic and proof, and succeeds in convincing even the Old Guard to change their views.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Victor Mair.
[ Learn More ] -
The Denma Translation Group
- HARDCOVER
- 307 pages
- Shambhala Pub
- September 2002
$ 11.53
Buy this book
- PAPERBACK
- 272 pages
- Shambhala Pub
- April 2002
$ 10.46
Buy this book
A new standard has been set. The Denma Translation Group's Sun Tzu rendering shows extraordinary accuracy; As stated in the book, they "argued over every word." We are quite impressed to see very little paraphrasing. And though this emphasis does sometimes break up the reading flow, the group did an admirable job minimizing its overall effects.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with The Denma Translation Group.
In addition to the translation, this book has the finest essays analyzing the many Art of War concepts. Then in an entirely different section, the authors presented their Art of War again, but now within the translation skillfully explained its passages. The group's work took them a decade to complete. It is based mostly on the Yin Chueh Shan text, deciphered from bamboo strips (dated 140 - 118 B.C.) discovered in 1972. The Yin Chueh Shan text predates all previously known Sun Tzu copies by 1,000 years.
Accurate translation, informative essays, and insightful commentaries. Needless to say, The Art of War: The Denma Translation is one of our top picks and we at Sonshi.com highly recommend their book.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with The Denma Translation Group.
[ Learn More ] -
Dr. Thomas Cleary
- PAPERBACK
- 224 pages
- Shambhala Pub
- October 2004
$ 14.96
Buy this book
- PAPERBACK
- 474 pages
- Shambhala Pub
- June 2003
$ 18.21
Buy this book
Compared with previous Art of War renderings, Thomas Cleary's translation (first published in 1988) is considered by many to be the most accessible.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Thomas Cleary.
Beginners can easily grasp difficult passages because he used clear, concise words. He neither overwhelms readers lacking an academic background nor does he intimidate readers lacking military experience. In short, he is among the few authors responsible for opening up the text to the masses. The popularity of his book to this day illustrates just how much he has influenced a generation of Sun Tzu students. In addition, Dr. Cleary redefined The Art of War by linking it to Taoist thought found in classics like the I Ching and Tao Te Ching. He purposefully highlighted "a profound undercurrent of humanism" to an often misunderstood book about warfare. Most Sun Tzu scholars have followed these viewpoints ever since.
Thomas Cleary holds a Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard, and has written 80 books translated from eight different languages.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Thomas Cleary.
[ Learn More ] -
Dr. Roger Ames
- HARDCOVER
- 321 pages
- Ballantine Books
- February 1993
$ 20.40
We have found new appreciation for this book after over a decade, which signals a timeless classic in the making. Published in 1993, Roger Ames's book not only has the complete original Chinese text but also an excellent English translation of Sun Tzu.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Roger Ames.
This edition claims to be "the first English translation incorporating the recently discovered Yin Chueh Shan texts." Thus it used the latest discovered Sun Tzu text (140 - 118 B.C.) found in 1972. The book only comes in hardcover -- wrapped around by a subdued, professional dust jacket.
Of all the Sun Tzus on the market, it has the most perfect balance between accuracy and readability. The author's emphasis is on the cultural and philosophical aspects of The Art of War. Well done section with photographs on glossy paper of the extremely fragile Sun Tzu wooden strips and other discoveries in China. In general a fine edition, and a book to buy and keep forever.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Roger Ames.
[ Learn More ] -
Dr. John Minford
- HARDCOVER
- 288 pages
- Viking Press
- November 2002
$ 48.94
Retired Professor John Minford is one of a handful of people who truly understand the essence of The Art of War: "It is beautiful and chilling." He has been a translator and teacher of the Chinese language since 1977, and had chaired the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Department of Asian Languages at the University of Auckland.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. John Minford.
Dr. Minford's translation is extremely concise yet complete -- much to our pleasant surprise -- and is truer to the original Chinese format than all previously published Sun Tzu versions. Our analysis shows great care was given to rendering each and every word. Incorporating the conventionally accepted text, Shiyijia zhu Sunzi, along with commentary from various ancient and modern sources, his book is perfect for someone who wants both an accurate translation and an extensive explanation of its many concepts and principles. The book is broken out into two major parts: the first part presents the core text unadorned, and the second part has the same text with well-selected commentary.
Just when we thought a new Sun Tzu "The Art of War" translation is not needed, John Minford's masterful work proved us wrong. Indeed, we are certain the value of his Art of War will only increase over time.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. John Minford.
[ Learn More ] -
Dr. Ralph Sawyer
- PAPERBACK
- 375 pages
- Westview Press
- February 1994
$ 11.53
Buy this book
- PAPERBACK
- 304 pages
- Westview Press
- July 1996
$ 28.08
Buy this book
This book is very popular with Sonshi.com readers. Ralph Sawyer's rendering from the Chinese is incredibly accurate; it is high on readability as well.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Ralph Sawyer.
Published in 1994, it didn't use much of the Yin Chueh Shan -- stating the Ming edition (Sung dynasty, 960 - 1126 AD) was tested throughout history and the two versions' contents didn't vary much despite the age disparity. A fair statement.
Detailed Chinese historical and military information along with an excellent section on weaponry and equipment. Exceptionally detailed footnotes. Overall, this book should be on any serious strategist's bookshelf. The Complete Art of War hardcover edition has both Sun Tzu's and Sun Pin's Art of War, but without Sawyer's in-depth analysis of Sun Tzu.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Ralph Sawyer.
[ Learn More ] -
Mark McNeilly
- 197 pages
- Oxford Univ Press
- October 1984
$ 9.37
Buy this book
- 222 pages
- Oxford Univ Press
- October 1988
$ 16.27
Buy this book
- PAPERBACK
- 272 pages
- Oxford Univ Press
- April 2000
$ 11.17
Buy this book
- HARDCOVER
- 304 pages
- Oxford Univ Press
- October 2001
$ 19.25
Buy this book
Excellent and unique sections on Sun Tzu's influence in Japan and on Mao Tse-Tung, and a foreword by the legendary B.H. Liddell Hart. Just those items alone are worth acquiring the book.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Mark McNeilly.
First published in 1963, this translation from the late General Samuel Griffith is considered the finest rendering of Sun Tzu since 1910. It has commentaries within the text itself; good history and analysis. In fact, a lot of analyses.
It has a superb rendering of Sun Tzu (edition from the Ching dynasty, 1644 - 1911 A.D.) in which we can find few faults. A must have book on your shelf if you are interested in Sun Tzu and strategy. This translation has been accepted into the Chinese Translation Series of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). All of us at Sonshi.com highly recommend it. You may want to upgrade to Griffith's hardcover edition for your home library.
Want to know how to apply General Samuel Griffith's translation to business and warfare? We suggest you take a serious look at Mark McNeilly's two highly rated books Sun Tzu and the Art of Business and Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare. Both books include Griffith's complete thirteen chapters of The Art of War.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Mark McNeilly.
[ Learn More ] -
Jodi Wing
- PAPERBACK
- 320 pages
- Harper
- November 2008
$ 12.56
We give special mention to The Art of Social War, a fun and exciting chick-lit written by Jodi Wing. We were pleasantly surprised to learn there's a novel based on the excellent Chinese classic but with a twist in setting: social circles of wives in modern-day Hollywood. Sun Tzu never had a challenge quite like that.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Jodi Wing.
With news stories of Michael Ovitz and Anthony Pellicano, anyone outside of Hollywood has to wonder about this place run by big egos with big money. Given the mixture, bad behavior is something you might find when you start digging yet you decide to stop because you're afraid of finding out more if you continue. That's just where our heroine Stacey Knight finds herself when she moved to Hollywood from New York after marrying Jamey Makepeace.
Behind the facade of social etiquette and leisure lie daggers drawn not by one enemy but over four antagonists (remember the name Julia Mallis, like, Wow!). Stacey made it in New York but can she make it in Hollywood? Not without her old copy of The Art of War -- and certainly not without the latest designer wardrobes, Kabbalah sessions, and celebrity-chef-catered parties.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Jodi Wing.
[ Learn More ] -
Dr. David Goldenberg
- PAPERBACK
- 144 pages
- 1st Books
- May 2002
$ 15.50
We give special mention to The Art of War 3: The Canons of Commerce, an extraordinary business interpretation of the Sun Tzu written by Dr. David Goldenberg, a professor and corporate executive with over 40 years of business experience. Although the book is a mere 140 pages (65 pages for the main 13 chapters), it is packed with insights that often force the reader to stop and think before continuing on.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. David Goldenberg.
Dr. Goldenberg's style is reminiscent of Sun Tzu's. The author goes straight for the jugular; he succinctly yet effectively explains strategic concepts without drawn-out anecdotes you find in many business books. The chapters are broken out into 13 parts like the original, in addition to three appendices based on the author's research work. Highly recommended and a must-have version for all Art of War readers.
Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. David Goldenberg.
[ Learn More ] -
David Apostolico
- PAPERBACK
- 151 pages
- Lyle Stuart
- February 2005
$ 10.36
The best book on poker strategy incorporating the time-honored philosophies of Sun Tzu. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with David Apostolico.
-
Dr. Chet Richards
- PAPERBACK
- 187 pages
- Xlibris
- June 2004
$ 20.99
Insightful book shows how our modern military can learn and benefit from Sun Tzu's principles. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Chet Richards.
-
Dr. David Li
- PAPERBACK
- 272 pages
- Premier Pub Co
- July 2000
$ 20.00
A bilingual edition of Sun Tzu's Art of War with individual Chinese characters before each English translation and 26 real-life case studies. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. David Li.
-
Robert Cantrell
Businessman and former military officer enlightens readers with book and complementary cards. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Robert Cantrell.
-
J.B. Bucklin
- PAPERBACK
- 326 pages
- 9 x 6 in.
- iUniverse
- December 2001
$ 17.95
A suspenseful novel incorporating the life story of Sun Tzu. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with J.B. Bucklin.
-
Dr. Raymond Yeh
- HARDCOVER
- 298 pages
- Zero Time Publishing
- July 2004
$ 13.57
Compassion is the key component in leadership according to this author and professor. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Raymond Yeh.
-
Gerald Michaelson
Business guru teaches managers how to effectively apply The Art of War. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Gerald Michaelson.
-
Jessica Steindorff
- HARDCOVER
- 96 pages
- New Millennium
- February 2005
$ 14.95
Actress and author popularizes The Art of War with a reference to the Sopranos. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Jessica Steindorff.
-
Kaihan Krippendorff
- HARDCOVER
- 288 pages
- Texere
- August 2003
$ 20.97
Top business consultant reveals how following the 36 Strategies can give your company the competitive edge. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Kaihan Krippendorff.
-
Stephen Kaufman
- PAPERBACK
- 128 pages
- 0.4 x 8.5 x 5.4 in.
- Charles E Tuttle Co
- April 1996
$ 10.36
Master Kaufman, 10th Dan, sheds light on two Asian classics. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Stephen Kaufman.
-
Donald Krause
- PAPERBACK
- 144 pages
- 8.0 x 5.2 x 0.4 in.
- Perigee Trade
- May 2005
$ 10.17
Direct translation of The Art of War into business concepts from this experienced business executive. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Donald Krause.
-
Dr. Foo Check Teck
- HARDCOVER
- 579 pages
- Butterworth-Heinemann
- December 1994
$ 19.99
In-depth technical analysis of Sun Tzu's strategies and their application to the business organization. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Dr. Foo Check Teck.
-
Gary Gagliardi
Successful businessman expounds Art of War concepts so others can achieve their goals as well. Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Gary Gagliardi.
-
Khoo Kheng-Hor
Prolific writer and lecturer on Sun Tzu's application in the corporate world. Get ready to be "suntzunized." Go to Sonshi.com's interview with Khoo Kheng-Hor.
