The Art of War

‘The Art of War’ is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from about the 5th century BCE. The work contains a detailed explanation and analysis of the Chinese military, from weapons and strategy to rank and discipline. It also stresses the importance of intelligence operatives and espionage to the war effort. The Art of War, attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, contains thirteen chapters, each of which focuses on an aspect of warfare and its related strategy and tactics. For almost 1,500 years ‘The Art of War’ was the primary text in an anthology that would be formalised in 1080 as the Seven Military Classics by Emperor Shenzong of Song. The first English translation, by Lionel Giles, was published in 1910. ‘The Art of War’ has influenced both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond.