Books by Thomas Cleary (translator)

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

A comprehensive collection of the most essential versions of The Art of War, the classic Chinese military treatise considered by many as the ultimate strategy guide

Sun Tzu’s Art of War, compiled more than two thousand years ago, is a study of the anatomy of organizations in conflict. It is perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world today. Now, this unique volume brings together the essential versions of Sun Tzu’s text, along with illuminating commentaries and auxiliary texts written by distinguished strategists. The translations, by the renowned translator Thomas Cleary, have all been published previously in book form, except for The Silver Sparrow Art of War, which is available here for the first time. This collection contains:

The Art of War: This edition of Sun Tzu’s text includes the classic collection of commentaries by eleven interpreters.

Mastering the Art of War: Consisting of essays by two prominent statesmen-generals of Han dynasty China, Zhuge Liang and Liu Ji, this book develops the strategies of Sun Tzu’s classic into a complete handbook of organization and leadership. It draws on episodes from Chinese history to show in concrete terms the proper use of Sun Tzu’s principles.

The Silver Sparrow Art of War: A version of Sun Tzu’s Art of War based on a manuscript of the classic text discovered at a Chinese archeological site in China’s Shandong Province in 1972, which contains previously unknown fragments.

Note: The electronic edition of this book does not contain The Lost Art of War, as seen in the paperback edition.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

Like Machiavelli's The Prince and the Japanese Book of Five Rings, Sun Tzu's The Art of War is as timely for business people today as it was for military strategists in ancient China. Written in China more than 2,000 years ago, Sun Tzu's classic The Art of War is the first known study of the planning and conduct of military operations. These terse, aphoristic essays are unsurpassed in comprehensiveness and depth of understanding, examining not only battlefield maneuvers, but also relevant economic, political, and psychological factors. Indeed, the precepts outlined by Sun Tzu regularly applied outside the realm of military theory. It is read avidly by Japanese businessmen and was touted in the movie Wall Street as the corporate raider's bible.

Providing a much-needed translation of this classic, Samuel Griffith has made this powerful and unique work even more relevant to the modern world. Including an explanatory introduction and selected commentaries on the work, this edition makes Sun Tzu's timeless classic perfectly accessible to modern readers.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

Compiled more than two thousand years ago by a mysterious warrior-philosopher, The Art of War is still perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world today, as eagerly studied in Asia by modern politicians and executives as it as been by military leaders since ancient times. As a study of the anatomy of organizations in conflict, The Art of War applies to competition and conflict in general, on every level from the interpersonal to the international. Its aim is invincibility, victory without battle, and unassailable strength through understanding of the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict.

This translation presents the classic from the point of view of its background in the great spiritual tradition of Taoism, the origin of psychology, science, and technology in East Asia and the source of the insights into human nature that underlie this most revered of handbooks for success. Translated from a standard collection of commentaries on Sun Tzu's text by eleven interpreters, the work has been edited by Thomas Cleary to bring out the meaning of the principles of strategy. In addition, the translator provides an extensive introduction discussing the content and background of the book.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

The most prestigious and influential book on strategy and dealing with conflict, beautifully translated for clear, accessible reading—including commentaries by other ancient Chinese philosophers and strategists.

From esteemed translator Thomas Cleary and including commentary from philosophers such as Cao Cao, Du Mu, and Du You, this timeless Chinese classic captures the essence of military strategy used in ancient East Asia, with lessons on how to handle conflict confidently, efficiently, and successfully. As Sun Tzu teaches, aggression and response in kind can lead only to destruction—we must learn to work with conflict in a more profound and effective way. Crucial to this strategic vision is knowledge—especially self-knowledge—and a view of the whole that seeks to bring the conflicting ideas around to a larger perspective.

The techniques and instructions discussed in The Art of War apply to competition and conflict on every level, from the interpersonal to the international. A study of the anatomy of forces in conflict, it has been discovered by modern businesspeople who understand the principles it contains are as useful for understanding the interactions of modern corporations as they are for understanding the tactics of ancient Chinese armies. Its aim is invincibility, victory without battle, and unassailable strength through an understanding of the physics, politics, and psychology of conflict.

Thomas Cleary’s translation is a breakthrough achievement that has been a gold standard among translations for three decades, offering the complete text in eminently readable prose with short commentaries by other ancient Chinese strategists and philosophers interwoven throughout. Cleary’s work allows innumerable insights to be discovered through this translation millennia after this oral teaching was first set down.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle....

These are the words of ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu, whose now-classic treatise, The Art of War, was written more than 2,500 years ago. Originally a text for victory on the battlefield, the book has vastly transcended its original purpose.

Here is a seminal work on the philosophy of successful leadership that is as applicable to contemporary business as it is to war. Today many leading American business schools use the text as required reading for aspiring managers, and even Oliver Stone's award-winning film Wall Street cites The Art of War as a guide to those who strive for success.

Now acclaimed novelist James Clavell, for whom Sun Tzu's writing has been an inspiration, gives us a newly edited Art of War. Author of the best-selling Asian saga consisting of Shogun, Tai-Pan, Gai-jin, King Rat, Noble House, and Whirlwind, Clavell first heard about Sun Tzu in Hong Kong in 1977, and since then The Art Of War has been his constant companion--he refers to it frequently in Noble House. He has taken a 1910 translation of the book and clarified it for the contemporary reader. This new edition of The Art Of War is an extraordinary book made even more relevant by an extraordinary editor.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

Designed to appeal to the book lover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautifully bound pocket-sized gift editions of much loved classic titles. Bound in real cloth, printed on high quality paper, and featuring ribbon markers and gilt edges, Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.

The perfect introduction to one of the world's best-known classics.

Translated and edited by author and scriptwriter Jonathan Clements.

This is a fresh, contemporary translation of Sun Tzu's The Art of War for the 21st century. As well as its historical importance, it is one of the most influential political and business books of our era. This edition rediscovers the essential clarity of the ancient masterpiece, cited by generals from a dozen Chinese dynasties, international business leaders, and modern military field manuals. It also contains a full commentary on Sun Tzu, the man and his ideas, contemporary of Confucius and Buddha; and a critical guide to further reading.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

This luxurious hardback edition presents Sun Tzu's The Art of War, the earliest-known and most famous treatise on military science, featuring stenciled page edges and full-color illustrations.

This ancient Chinese text provides tactical advice on war strategy and how to adjust your approach in ever-evolving situations. Despite being written over two thousand years ago, its shrewd and penetrating theories are used today as a source of insight into many areas of life, including leadership and corporate strategy.

Featuring stunning full-color illustrations as well as the complete original Chinese text, this luscious hardback edition with stenciled page edges and gold foil blocking makes a wonderful gift or collectable for anyone interested in the contemporary insights of ancient Chinese wisdom.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Luxury Classics series brings together deluxe gift editions of classic works of literature, complete with stenciled page edges, gold embossed cover designs, full-color illustrations and beautiful patterned endpapers.

The Art of War

by Sun Tsu, Sun Tzu, Thomas Cleary (translator), Thomas Cleary

A new translation of the ancient Chinese military classic that is widely admired by military and business strategists—with an introduction that provides sweeping historical context, and notes featuring contemporary commentary on Sun Tzu's wisdom over the centuries.

For more than two thousand years, The Art of War has provided leaders with essential tactical and management advice. An elemental part of Chinese culture, it has also become a touchstone in the West for achieving success, whether on the battlefield or in business.

This Vintage Classics edition features a brilliant translation by Peter Harris, first published by Everyman's Library in 2018. Alongside the pithy and powerful ancient text, Harris includes:
• Notes
• A bibliography
• A chronology of Chinese dynasties
• A map
• Extracts from the canon of classical Chinese commentators
• An illuminating introduction on the warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu and the role of The Art of War in history and today