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The Art of War
by Sun Tzu
Translated by Stephen F. Kaufman
Stephen F. Kaufman is a 10th Dan karate instructor. Mr.Kaufman founded School of the Snake(Dojo No Hebi) and has authored martial artists books. I feel that part of the practical nature for this version is drawn from this background.
"I leave out the commentaries by alleged ancient masters as to what Sun Tzu supposedly meant. These commentaries were generally give as editications by others so they could tell you their ideas. In reality, who cares what Ch'en Fu thinks about Sun Tzu's hidden meaning about the jade stalk in the midst of the enemy's goldfish pond? We are grown-up and intelligent enough to develop our own understanding without the need for quaint allegories. There is nothinn sacred here. I find that approach unnecessary, limite, and a wast of time to the educated reader. The only comments and clarifications you will ever need should be your and they should be based on your understanding and applications of the knowledge. You should take notes for you own personal needs." Page x, The Art of War
The art of war is broken down to several different books.
Introduction
Book 1: Considerations and Estimations for War
Book 2: Preperations for War
Book 3: The Nature of Attacks
Book 4: How to Think of War
Book 5: Using the Power of Heaven
Book 6: Fortitude and Fraility
Book 7: Manipulation of Circumstance
Book 8: Variations of Changing Positions
Book 9: The Virtue of Changing Positions
Book 10: Control and Maintence of Territory
Book 11: Conducting and Managing Campaigns
Book 12: Fierceness in Combat
Book 13: Spies and Traitors
"Sun Tzu lived approximately two thousand years ago-- If in fact he lived at all. In those times, generally, works like The Art Of War were passed along by word of mouth by enlightened people and in time the lessons became corrupted." Introduction, The Art Of War
I respect Hanshi Kaufman, for his desire to present Sun Tzu's works as best he can and let the work speak for itself. He I feel strives for the no nonsense approach. I feel this is best for most people since most people really don't care about what "Ch'en Fu thinks about Sun Tzu's hidden meaning about the jade stalk in the midst of the enemy's goldfish pond". I think it is also good that he wants people to think for themselves. I'm not sure this is the only version I would read however I think if there's only one version you can get, this is the one.
I would have liked it if there was in the back more historical background about the period of China. I think if your one must becareful if your using this book as a guide for business, to remember it was originally ment for soldiers. I'm also not sure compassion doesn't belong in the affairs of state. But that in and of itself is my personal opinion.
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