The Art of War

About The Art of War The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the 5th century BC. Attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu the text is composed of 13 chapters, each of which is devoted to one aspect of the art of war. It is commonly thought of as a definitive work on military strategy and tactics. It was placed at the head of China's Seven Military Classics upon the collection's creation in 1080 by Emperor Shenzong of Song, and has long been the most influential strategy text in East Asia. It has had an influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy and beyond. About this edition of the translation of The Art of War This official edition of The Art of War is the unaltered, uncommented, edited text as written by Sun Tzu in the translation of Lionel Giles, first published in 1910. Giles original translation of the art of war includes commentaries and historical asides that have been removed for clarity and readability. The intention of this version is to create an Art of War similar to what the famed Thirteen Letters from Sun Tzu would have read like without modern alterations.