E-Paper
SUPERBOOK: A treatise on how to win a war
The book would be good for those interested in ancient China, war, or in figuring out how the corporate world comes up with its innumerable maxims for success.
The Art of War
Sun Tzu
• Price — Rs 615
• Publication — Penguin Classics
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese treatise on exactly that — the art of war. Most likely composed during the Warring States period of Chinese history, between 403 and 221 BC, it is a stern manual of how to win a war.
Who Sun Tzu was has not been accurately ascertained, because a short biography of someone by that name in another historical Chinese text places him earlier, in about 500 BC. The tone of the book, however, does not seem to belong historically to that relatively quiet period.
The 13 short chapters of The Art of War are comprised of firm, no-nonsense instructions that tend unequivocally towards one end — the winning of war, preferably with the least amount of fighting and damage. The strategic skills and military knowledge of the General are as important as the readiness and capacity of the army.
Courage is not the exalted quality it is now, and martyrdom is not a subject that is pertinent to the discussion of military strategy. It is the winning of the war that is paramount, and the author, obviously experienced in the reality of battle, is ruthlessly practical about it.
The book has been adopted by many as a mantra for corporate success. It might be hard for everyone to see parallels between ancient, war-ridden China and the present day corporate world. What the book might lend itself better to is cultural analysis and comparison.
There are the epics, in every culture, in which a large part of the action is on the battlefield, but military strategy is not the primary concern. Epics are cultural statements and reflections. In contrast, this is a serious manual.
The Art of War is an interesting, tight read. It would be good for someone interested in ancient China, war, or in figuring out how the corporate world comes up with its innumerable maxims for success.
