The Art of War

Lore & Background

The Art of War is traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu, said to have lived in the 6th century BC, though the earliest parts probably date to at least 100 years later. Sima Qian's Shiji records a tradition that a text on military matters was written by Sun Wu from the state of Qi, read by King Helü of Wu. This text was traditionally identified with the received Master Sun's Art of War. The conventional view holds that Sun Wu was a military theorist from the end of the Spring and Autumn period who fled Qi to Wu, where he impressed the king with his ability to train officials in military discipline and made Wu's armies powerful enough to challenge Chu. This view remains widely held in China. Beginning around the 12th century, Chinese scholars questioned Sun Tzu's historical existence, noting that the Zuo Zhuan does not mention him. The name 'Sun Wu' does not appear in any text prior to the Records of the Grand Historian. In the early 20th century, Liang Qichao theorized the text was actually written in the 4th century BC by Sun Tzu's purported descendant Sun Bin. This showed that much historical confusion was due to two texts that could be referred to as 'Master Sun's Art of War'. It is now generally accepted that the earlier text was completed between 500 and 430 BC.

Reader's Guide

The Art of War comprises a detailed analysis of 5th-century BC Chinese military, from weapons and environmental conditions to morale and discipline. Sun portrays war as a costly, destructive last resort; prolonged warfare erodes the state faster than the enemy. He uses diplomacy and economic principles to keep war brief, contained, and cheap by minimizing financial exposure, and stresses the importance of intelligence operatives and espionage. Military and political leaders such as Mao Zedong, Takeda Shingen, Võ Nguyên Giáp, Douglas MacArthur, and Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. are cited as having drawn inspiration from the book. Across East Asia, it was part of the syllabus for military service examinations. During the Vietnam War, Viet Cong officers studied it extensively, and General Giáp implemented its tactics at Dien Bien Phu. The United States' defeat in Vietnam brought Sun Tzu to the attention of U.S. military theory; the book is listed on the US Marine Corps Professional Reading Program and recommended for all US Military Intelligence personnel. General Douglas MacArthur stated he always kept a copy on his desk, and General Colin Powell noted its influence on soldiers and politicians.

Did You Know?

• The Art of War is composed of 13 chapters, each devoted to a different set of skills or arts related to warfare and finance.