Sun Tzu's book is one of the most valuable works in human history. It is also one of the most difficult to understand. Much of Sun Tzu's writing is based on concepts in traditional Chinese science and philosophy with which modern readers are unfamiliar. Simply reading an English translation of Sun Tzu gives you very little idea of his methods.

There are a number of serious barriers that stand in the way of our understanding the text. Much of what it teaches is diametrically opposed to what we think we "know" about competition. This starts with seeing competition not as conflict but as a form of comparison. 

To get you started, we give you an idea what the book covers in this brief summary of its chapters.  We then explain the work's underlying cultural context and roots in Chinese science, especially its methods of diagramming relationships.

We then explain the history of the text and its translations so you can appreciate why its principles are just now beginning to be taught in a more structured way. We also compare different English translations so you can begin to understand the challenges in translating this work.

Over the years, we have developed a number of books explaining Sun Tzu's The Art of War including the award-winning Golder Key to Strategy.

Simply reading an English translation of Sun Tzu gives you only a glimpse of his methods. There are a number of serious barriers that stand in the way of understanding the text.

To get you started, we give you an idea what the book covers in this brief summary of its chapters. We also cannot understand the original text without understanding its underlying cultural context and roots in Chinese science, especially its methods of diagramming relationships.

Once you understand the history of the text and its translations, you can appreciate why its principles are just now beginning to be taught in a more structured way.

If you compare different English translations, you begin to understand the challenges in translating this work. Over the years, we have developed a number of books explaining Sun Tzu's The Art of War and adapting its principles to specific competitive arenas.