The Art of War [Blackstone Version]

By: translation by John Minford, Sun Tzu

Narrated by: Lorna Raver, Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

For more than two thousand years, The Art of War has stood as a cornerstone of Chinese culture, a lucid epigrammatic text that reveals as much about human psychology, politics, and economics as it does about battlefield strategy. The influence of Sun-Tzu's text has grown tremendously in the West in recent years, with military leaders, politicians, and corporate executives alike finding valuable insight in these ancient words.

In this crisp, accessible new translation, eminent scholar John Minford brings this seminal work to life, presenting the core text in two formats, first the unadorned 13 chapters of the original work by Sun-Tzu followed by the same text with extensive running commentary by classical Chinese scholars as well as Minford himself. The result is an opportunity for Western readers to experience Sun-Tzu's work in all its intensity as it applies to many aspects of our lives.

©2002 John Minford (P)2008 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Modern warriors, warrior-wannabes, and world leaders would be advised to heed Sun-tzu's wisdom. Reader Lorna Raver's skill with voices adds to the inscrutable nature of the text and increases the listener's attention." ( AudioFile)

An Ancient Classic

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The way this book was presented grew repetitive.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have changed the editing to make the book shorter.

What aspect of Lorna Raver and Ray Porter ’s performance would you have changed?

I am not sure how I would have changed the actual performance.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

Not a book to read merefy for enjoyment,

A masterpiece

Well read. Well translated. Well commented. You will be better off after listening to this because you will appreciate the difficulty in attaining peace internally, in relations, in a family and in and between nations.

Not the best version of this classic in my opinion

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The format was hard to follow, bouncing around from topic to topic then back, I would have less out of order commentary.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I may listen to another version of this book at a later date to see if I can take in the entire work better.

Do you think The Art of War [Blackstone Version] needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

If this version was better laid out it would stand alone well.

Any additional comments?

When you think the book is done it starts back up in a random place then goes back through most of what you already heard but with new commentary. It was confusing and unfocused. In my opinion it did not capture the spirit of the original.

tough concentration required

My expectations were not accomplished. It is a tough reading or listening because there are so many data that is perfect for an investigator but not for somebody that needs practical knowledge. To long and not so practical, after this book you need to look for another that translate the wide base of the first in a practical knowledge.

Like Reading fortune cookies on war strategy.

Good but I think overrated. If you like your war strategy books to read like fortune cookies this is the book for you.

Also there is a lot of duplication in the commentary and annotations.

Classical

A must read. Inspirational and powerful, with very relevant commentary taken from various perspectives throughout history.

too repetitive yet still good

book repeats so many times it's like listening to the same book 4 times over

This is a good book but it repeats at the end to take up extra time. Get the short version you’ll understand it.

This is a good book but it repeats at the end to take up extra time. Get the short version you’ll understand it.

Great and clarifying commentary

Good read, but...

A few chapters were oddly misplaced and repeated. Someone should look into it and fix it.

Scholarly Treatise

Have you listened to any of Lorna Raver and Ray Porter ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The readers did fine.

Any additional comments?

I didn't realize that the "Art of War" was a mere 10% of this book. Is this a book that people rave over and do not actually read? The book was approximately 90% analysis. -- I wanted to enjoy this book, I could not.