The Art of War: The Definitive Translation of the Linyi Text (Harper Perennial Modern Classics)

The landmark translation, based on the "Linyi text" that predates all previous versions by 1,000 years.

"There is no doubt that J. H. Huang's new translation of Sun-tzu will be valuable to scholars of military art for many years to come. . . . An important work." — General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

"The Linyi verion of Sun-tzu provides a fresh new interpretation of Sun-tzu's classic works. As the oldest version yet discovered, it lays strong claim to the closet adherence of Sun-tzu's true intent." — General David W. Barno

Sun-tzu's The Art of War is the classic work on strategic thinking. Throughout recorded history, Sun-tzu's wisdom, rules, and philosophy have been eagerly embraced by warriors, leaders, and gentle contemplators alike.

This edition is an entirely new text based on manuscripts discovered in Linyi, China, in 1972 that predate all previous texts by as many as one thousand years. To better convey Sun-tzu's original intent, translator, researcher, and interpreter J. H. Huang traced the roots of the language to Sun-tzu's own time—before 221 b.c. In addition to his wonderfully clear interpretation, Huang gives readers an introduction to the history behind The Art of War, includes six appendices—five of which were uncovered at Linyi and are not available in any other edition—and offers his own insightful comments on the meaning of the text.