El arte de la guerra es un caso extraordinario en la historia de la literatura, un texto de dos mil quinientos años de antigüedad que mantiene su vigencia y cuyas máximas se aplican a distintos aspectos de la vida en pleno siglo XXI. El motivo es que El arte de la guerra es mucho más que un tratado decisivo de estrategia y tácticas militares, en su esencia está el conocimiento de la naturaleza humana para su aplicación en los momentos de confrontación y, si hay un aspecto inherente a las relaciones sociales, que aparece reiteradamente en cada uno de los relatos de nuestra historia, es el conflicto. Ahora bien, Marcos Castro, un artista que no es ajeno a estas reflexiones, presenta una obra gráfica para acompañar este milenario texto e ilustrado de manera sublime, ofreciendo al lector una edición única que, además, en esta ocasión se enriquece con otra obra que acompaña y engalana las reflexiones del texto de Sun Tzu: El libro de los cinco anillos, escrito en el año 1643 por el guerrero del Japón feudal: Miyamoto Musashi.
Sun Tzu (traditional Chinese: 孫子; simplified Chinese: 孙子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ) was a Chinese military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC). Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thought. Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and East Asian culture as a legendary historical and military figure. His birth name was Sun Wu (traditional Chinese: 孫武; simplified Chinese: 孙武) and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing (Chinese: 長卿). The name Sun Tzu—by which he is more popularly known—is an honorific which means "Master Sun". Sun Tzu mastered the military science of ancient China and created the military doctrine of asymmetrical warfare. According to it, an attack on the enemy should begin only after the enemy has no opportunity to either defend or counterattack. It was used in the wars in the era of the Warring States in ancient China (about 475–221 BC). It differs from the modern interpretation of asymmetric military strategy. The ancient warriors used to call it the Victorious Methods of Warfare (sheng er zhan zhi), but it has the same meaning as the modern asymmetrical military strategy. The ancient professional warriors used it in individual combats against the enemies in the wars. As a result, a variety of armed and unarmed combat combinations have been created for various combat situations as the individual battle plans. Those combat combinations had specific names, descriptions and classifications. Sun Tzu's historicity is uncertain. The Han dynasty historian Sima Qian and other traditional Chinese historians placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544–496 BC. Modern scholars accepting his historicity place the extant text of The Art of War in the later Warring States period of 475 to 221 BC, based on its style of composition and its descriptions of warfare. Traditional accounts state that the general's descendant Sun Bin wrote a treatise on military tactics, also titled The Art of War. Since both Sun Wu and Sun Bin were referred to as "Sun Tzu" in classical Chinese texts, some historians believed them identical, prior to the rediscovery of Sun Bin's treatise in 1972. Sun Tzu's work has been praised and employed throughout the arc of East Asian military history since its composition, and eventually earned global attention. During the twentieth century, The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in the Western world as well. It remains influential in many contemporary competitive endeavors across the modern world beyond military strategy and warfare, including espionage, culture, governance, business, and sports.
What got me into reading these two manuals was my interest in the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors franchises. I was familiar with Sun Tzu from a few of his sayings and Miyamoto Musashi the warrior. What finally led me to reading this was a certain saying that stood out to me, which I will share using my own understanding: "Those who are victorious win the battle first and then go to fight. Those who lose will go to battle first and then hope to win." While most wisdom seems to apply mainly to the literal battlefield, this statement can be easily applied to daily living. The battle begins in the mind, and those who emerge victorious at the end of the day must first win the battle that comes with the rising from bed. I hope to revisit these manuals in the future to glean more wisdom that may be applied to my personal life.
One of the most inspiring books I have had the pleasure of reading, detailing true practical concepts on how to approach many situations whether for business or pleasure. The strategies outlined cannot but provide valuable self help guidance for all and is a definite for those looking for a new challenge, those searching for a renewed vision at home or work, those in a competitive business arena or super elite sport. A brilliant interpretation of the stratagems of conflict, i really liked the concept of understanding not only yourself but looking at the big picture and understanding others in order to seek the most appropriate course of action. A brilliant easy to read adaptation.
Since I was about seven years old, I have been studying various styles of martial arts. With this its various mentalities and teachings have become a part of me, but I wanted to learn more. These books depict the more mental and insightful aspect of it all.
El libro "Los cinco anillos" de Miyamoto Musashi aborda cómo el autor se superó en el campo del combate y cómo aplicó los conocimientos adquiridos para vencer las adversidades de la vida. Musashi explora temas como la disciplina, la resiliencia y la autodominación, conceptos que adaptó durante sus años de guerra, los cuales lo llevaron a la gloria y a convertirse en el mejor samurái de todos los tiempos. Además, Musashi fue un filósofo profundamente sabio y un hombre mentalmente inquebrantable. A lo largo de su vida, dejó de luchar porque encontró su camino hacia la redención. Fue entonces cuando decidió escribir este libro, con el fin de compartir su experiencia y sabiduría, para que otras personas pudieran conocer su historia y aspirar a convertirse en una mejor versión de sí mismas.Musashi, M. (2019). Los cinco anillos (J. C. Pérez, Trad.). Editorial Edaf. (Trabajo original publicado en 1645). Me enteré de este libro porque en mi entorno y en el contenido que consumo está relacionado con las artes marciales, y la mayoría, por no decir todos, han leído este libro, incluyendo El arte de la guerra, que también planeo leer. Si pudiera dejarle un mensaje a Miyamoto Musashi, definitivamente le hablaría de cómo estoy en deuda con su libro. De verdad, léanlo, es un libro que les cambiará la forma de ver las cosas, y serán incluso más conscientes y capaces de perdonar. Este libro me llevó a ser una persona más "Zen". Una frase tan simple de Miyamoto Musashi, "Un guerrero verdadero no pelea por odio, sino por amor a la vida y la paz", me hizo darme cuenta de que no odiaba la vida, simplemente tenía rabia e ira. Las artes marciales y las lecciones de este libro me hicieron ver todo de una forma más clara. En mi opinión, es el mejor libro que he leído hasta ahora, ya que me hizo cambiar la perspectiva que tenía sobre la vida. Siento que me ha ayudado a mejorar en todos los aspectos, desde cómo soy como persona hasta en mis hobbies y actividades cotidianas. Este libro me dio enseñanzas valiosas, como dejar de darle importancia a las cosas superficiales para ser más feliz y estar mentalmente más cómodo conmigo mismo. Miyamoto Musashi siempre fue una persona sencilla y disciplinada; incluso he aplicado algunas de sus técnicas de guerra en mi vida. La verdad, sigo fascinado con este libro, ya que no sabía lo mucho que las técnicas de guerra pueden servir en la vida. Incluso me sorprende lo inteligente que era Miyamoto Musashi. Él simplemente era alguien muy sabio y avanzado para su época, una persona que realmente admiro. Su libro se adapta incluso a mi disciplina, que es el Jiu Jitsu, y estoy seguro de que, si sigo entrenando arduamente, en unos años estaré peleando MMA. Hasta la fecha, sigo agradecido con el ya difunto Miyamoto Musashi, quien dejó lecciones muy valiosas. Este libro es simplemente perfecto y es un excelente libro de superación personal que todo el mundo debería leer. De verdad, me sorprende que muchas reseñas del libro hablen de cómo este simple libro les cambió la vida por completo, justo como a mí. Planeo terminarlo y leerlo otra vez para poder entender algunas cosas que me dejaron confundido sobre el libro de Miyamoto Musashi.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a famous military/strategy treatise composed of 13 chapters devoted to various skills related to war. While the translation appears to be good, the advise provided is primarily general (and somewhat obvious) maxims, without any specific or practical information or examples on how to execute each stratagem … making this very small manual more of an outline/checklist that is of marginal use by itself (IMHO the reputation of this work far exceeds its utility; however, it works as an introduction and/or entertainment). After each chapter, the author adds a few discussion questions that are also interesting and points to some of the hidden concepts within each precept, but are difficult to fully take advantage of in the audible format. The narration is actually pretty good for such an academic and dry topic (so only one “voice” / character that you would expect within a story/novel).
The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi is another famous martial treatise that attempts to extend sword tactics into battle strategies (bottom up vs top down from Art of War). As such, there are more specific or practice instructions, but very little help in how to apply this knowledge more generally on the battle field. Here Musashi’s primary focus appears to be individual/internal disciple and the superiority of the sword over all other weapons (except the gun). The treatise is divided into five (5) books: Earth (Training), Water (Style), Fire (Timing), Wind (Flaws), Void (Mind). Over all, the work was interesting and interesting; although, I puzzled a bit over some of the translation choices.
Over all the complete package was short and entertaining, but not really something I would use to learn strategy beyond a basic introduction. For that I was turn to more contemporary sources for modern warfare such as Von Clausewitz.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Great books about how to approach different situations in your life whether it is war, business, sport, etc: understand yourself and your goals, know your enemies and their capabilities, trust yourself, see the big picture. Having these knowledge you can act with faith.
Tanto el arte de la guerra como el libro de los cinco anillos se complementan en la cuestión estratégica. Vale la pena releerlo y consultarlo para las diferentes batallas cotidianas.
aunque si me gustó, yo esperaba una especie de biografía de musashi miyamoto y pues no es precisamente lo que encontre, pese a eso, la lectura la disfrute bastante.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Very good read to get some concepts and applications in real life or a process / treats in business a long the life.
It is very useful for acquiring knowledge but has not been a lecture to enjoy, due to the way it has been written does not facilitate a smooth reading, the whole book is structured similar to an outline, listed all the points of view on various aspects to consider in a battle or conflict. In addition to this, the book teaches about how to be a good boss and never enter a conflict without knowing all the capabilities of the enemies and terrain where the conflict occurs.
Great book to stayed in our library and consulted occasionally in search inspiration or clarification for some situations at life.