A properly formatted and perfect version of The Art of War

Includes War Art of Paul Nash (1889-1946) - one of the most important landscape artists of the twentieth century.

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Spring and Autumn period in the 5th century BC. The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, 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 would be 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 Asia. It has also had an influence on Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, and beyond.

This English version is translated by Lionel Giles

Who was Sun Tzu?

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and Eastern philosophy. Aside from his legacy as the author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and the Culture of Asia as a legendary historical figure. His birth name was Sun Wu, and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing.