The Art of War

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Late Spring and Autumn Period (roughly 5th century BC). The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu (‘Master Sun’, also spelled Sunzi), is composed of 13 chapters. Each one is devoted to a distinct aspect of warfare and how that applies to military strategy and tactics. For almost 1,500 years it was the lead text in an anthology that was formalized as the Seven Military Classics by Emperor Shenzong of Song in 1080. The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare and has influenced both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, and beyond. The book has also become increasingly popular among political leaders and those in business management. Despite its military focus, The Art of War has found application in many competitive endeavors that are not military in nature, from business to sports to diplomacy. Its principles of strategy, leadership, and competition remain as relevant today as they were over two thousand years ago.