The Book of Five Rings

By: Miyamoto Musashi, William Scott Wilson - translator

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by people in all walks of life centuries after his death.

Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was addressed to readers of earlier times on the battlefield and now serves the modern listener in the battle of life.

In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the 17th-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's rarely published The Way of Walking Alone.

©2002 William Scott Wilson (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen." ( Time)

Great guide for a great mindset

Great work, it is quite short though. A lot of the information you will have to investigate thoroughly elsewhere. However, he does put you on the right course for a winning mind set. Really insight into the mind of a man who won over 60 life and death fights.

The book of the five rings

You should investigate this thoroughly study this in great detail. Put it to practice daily

Very enlightening.

Full of a lot of useful information. Classic read and very insightful. Highly Recommended Book

Unbelievably Good

So much wisdom in such a short book. Could not recommend enough. Words that are timeless.

I love the wisdom

this is knowledge you can carry with you and apply in your everyday life. I know that I do.

Very interesting.

I find that you can make a lot of comparisons to everyday life. But will listen again to let you know what they are.

A must read for every martial artist!

If you study any discipline of martial art, you're going to want this knowledge dropped on you.

An excellent treatise on martial arts' principles.

Loved it. The most deepened parts on the text might be The way of walking alone, and the hidden content on Emptiness chapter.
The book structure is clear, the translator speech is bold. Recommend this book for anyone seeking a through inquiry into his true being.

Wonderful narration, content for mental sharpening

What more can be said which has not already been said of this book? Many concepts worthy of in-depth study and application regardless of ones occupations...that which is stated in this work may be applied broadly. There is a great emphasis on clarity of mind and directness of approach which one can integrate into any and all aspects of ones own life. I have revisited this work many times and will continue to do so.

As for the narrator, I feel as if I could listen to his voice perform instruction-based books of any kind.

Also, there is a graphic novel version based on this translation which I highly recommend owning a copy of especially you're a fan of manga style art.

JRE recommendation

Definitely a book with a message you can use against almost all of life's situations, you should investigate it thoroughly. lol