Sun Tzu: The Art of War (ca. 500 BCE)
One of the great military texts from ancient China is The Art of War, believed to have been written in the sixth century BCE by Sun Tzu. The book, consisting of thirteen chapters, is still regarded by military planners as a definitive book on military strategy—particularly on how to win a battle or war without actually fighting but rather by outsmarting the enemy. The book continues to be required reading for officers in Asian militaries. Many of the book's statements have become proverbial.
Little is known about Sun Tzu's life. Sources disagree about where he was born, but it is known that he was born sometime during the late Spring and Autumn Period, which ranged from 722 to about 481 BCE (or possibly as late as 403) and was named for the Spring and Autumn Annals, the official chronicle of the Chinese state of Lu. Sun Tzu, who was born Sun Wu, served as a general and military strategist in the late sixth century BCE. During this period, internal conflict and civil wars...
