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Sun Tzu for Success: How to Use the Art of War to Master Challenges and Accomplish the Important Goals in Your Life
By exploring the basic components of The Art of War , this guide to personal development and success shows you how to unleash your full potential, triumph over adversity, and achieve long-term goals.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
56 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Gerald A. Michaelson
13 books6 followersGerald A. Michaelson was the author of many business books including the classic The Art of War for Managers, and others in the Sun Tzu series including Strategies for Success, Sun Tzu for Sales, and Sun Tzu for Marketing.
Gerald Michaelson spent over 25 years growing sales for Magnavox/Phillips, in sales, marketing, and ultimately as a Corporate Vice President, using the strategic concepts set forth in this book.
As a writer and consultant he was internationally recognized. As a featured speaker at an international symposium on Sun Tzu's the Art of War in Beijing, China, he also returned to conduct management seminars for the Chinese government utilizing Sun Tzu's strategic concepts. His articles appeared in leading periodicals of his time including Success Magazine, World Executive's Digest and Traveler in Asia, Executive Edge, and Sales and Marketing Management. He also wrote a weekly column for newspapers in the Scripps Howard network. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association, and of fast growing companies. He appeared on every continent speaking on his insights from Sun Tzu.
Michaelson's diverse experiences as a Korean War Veteran, a Fortune 500 executive, a consultant, writer and author gave him the broad background that culminated in the classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers. His business writings were praised by leaders from corporate CEO's, to military historians, to leading consultants. He passed away in 2005.
In 2010, his son, writing partner, and experienced CEO Steven W. Michaelson updated the timeless classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers in a second edition. Staying true to the principles and thoughts in the first edition, Steve updated the business examples, and added new Managers Examples to continue to help readers understand Sun Tzu's applicability to daily business challenges.
Gerald Michaelson spent over 25 years growing sales for Magnavox/Phillips, in sales, marketing, and ultimately as a Corporate Vice President, using the strategic concepts set forth in this book.
As a writer and consultant he was internationally recognized. As a featured speaker at an international symposium on Sun Tzu's the Art of War in Beijing, China, he also returned to conduct management seminars for the Chinese government utilizing Sun Tzu's strategic concepts. His articles appeared in leading periodicals of his time including Success Magazine, World Executive's Digest and Traveler in Asia, Executive Edge, and Sales and Marketing Management. He also wrote a weekly column for newspapers in the Scripps Howard network. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association, and of fast growing companies. He appeared on every continent speaking on his insights from Sun Tzu.
Michaelson's diverse experiences as a Korean War Veteran, a Fortune 500 executive, a consultant, writer and author gave him the broad background that culminated in the classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers. His business writings were praised by leaders from corporate CEO's, to military historians, to leading consultants. He passed away in 2005.
In 2010, his son, writing partner, and experienced CEO Steven W. Michaelson updated the timeless classic Sun Tzu The Art of War for Managers in a second edition. Staying true to the principles and thoughts in the first edition, Steve updated the business examples, and added new Managers Examples to continue to help readers understand Sun Tzu's applicability to daily business challenges.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 16, 2010
I learned a lot from this book. I definitely recommend this to everyone
July 4, 2017
The translation included by Michaelson is appropriate for someone who wants to read the Art of War for the first time. It is simple enough for the modern man to comprehend while retaining the "classic" sense of the text. Moreover, the inclusion of the headings in the original text of the Art of War is a good guide for someone who wants to master the text.
With respect to the commentaries on success, it did not really left a mark with me personally as a reader. However, I find the last part enlightening where different people have shared their main takeaway in reading the Art of War.
Overall, I would recommend Michaelson's book to a layman who wants to understand Sun Tzu because the book provides an introduction that provides the context of Sun Tzu's thinking, translation that's easy to grasp, and the application of the lessons of the text.
With respect to the commentaries on success, it did not really left a mark with me personally as a reader. However, I find the last part enlightening where different people have shared their main takeaway in reading the Art of War.
Overall, I would recommend Michaelson's book to a layman who wants to understand Sun Tzu because the book provides an introduction that provides the context of Sun Tzu's thinking, translation that's easy to grasp, and the application of the lessons of the text.
June 18, 2022
This is an excellent read and we'll worth my time. The First Part of this Work is The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The Second part is his Interpretation. The interpretation to any work on Strategy is important. Michaelson doesn't let his readers down. He includes many examples of his life experiences in the second part of this work.
November 1, 2020
The first half of the book contains the original 13 chapters of the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu - the reason why read this book. And it was interesting. But the second half is Carnegie-style interpretations of the author. It neither impressed nor bothered me.
October 28, 2019
Short and sweet. No grandmother stories.
February 11, 2024
The book starts by an full copy of the original "The Art of War" and then it gives advices based on it. very good one I definitely recommended for anyone to read.
August 8, 2013
My parents got me this book because they know that I'm interested in things like that (although my Chinese is terrible). And it took some time, but I finally read this book!
Well, this book has two parts - Part One is the translation of The Art of War in English. Part Two is how you can apply The Art Of War to your life. Each chapter is pretty short, and there's an even shorter summary at the end of each chapter. For Part Two, it's subdivided into five sections - Personal Characteristics for Success, Strategies for Success, Tactics for Success, Competitive Success, and Examples for Success.
So that is what the book is about. And from the blurb, it says that this book is "following up on the bestselling success of Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers". That gave me a huge "aha" moment. This book felt so much like reading a business book, although it's supposed to be a general self-help type of book. I'm not sure if it's the language or just a weird sense that comes from reading too many business-related books, but I kept thinking I was reading a managing handbook. So if you're the type that drops off at the hint of "business", you might want to hold back on this book.
All in all, this is a pretty interesting book. Apart from the sense that I was reading something business-related (which I didn't actually mind that much), this is an easy-to-read book about how Sun Tzu could apply to our lives.
This review was first posted to An Excuse For Company
Well, this book has two parts - Part One is the translation of The Art of War in English. Part Two is how you can apply The Art Of War to your life. Each chapter is pretty short, and there's an even shorter summary at the end of each chapter. For Part Two, it's subdivided into five sections - Personal Characteristics for Success, Strategies for Success, Tactics for Success, Competitive Success, and Examples for Success.
So that is what the book is about. And from the blurb, it says that this book is "following up on the bestselling success of Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers". That gave me a huge "aha" moment. This book felt so much like reading a business book, although it's supposed to be a general self-help type of book. I'm not sure if it's the language or just a weird sense that comes from reading too many business-related books, but I kept thinking I was reading a managing handbook. So if you're the type that drops off at the hint of "business", you might want to hold back on this book.
All in all, this is a pretty interesting book. Apart from the sense that I was reading something business-related (which I didn't actually mind that much), this is an easy-to-read book about how Sun Tzu could apply to our lives.
This review was first posted to An Excuse For Company
November 2, 2011
The first half of the book is an actual copy of The Art of War(and I didn't know that so I had to make do with the crappy pdf file of The Art of War) the second part is the important lessons and skills that you can use in life that can be interpreted from The Art of War.
What I liked:
1) how the author related the writings of Sun Tzu to modern life
What I didn't like:
1) the examples. More of business examples that life itself examples.
What I liked:
1) how the author related the writings of Sun Tzu to modern life
What I didn't like:
1) the examples. More of business examples that life itself examples.
May 30, 2013
"Sun Tzu For Success" is probably most correct name for this book. I mean that it provides very high level overview of points and actions that leads to success.
Book is not thick so covers very basic things and suits for those who just started their journey on self-development path. However already experienced ones can find it exciting to read about Sun Tzu's strategies with modern explanations.
Books is good enough, but not perfect. I've expected more from it.
Really looking forward for another works not so high level with more practical details.
Book is not thick so covers very basic things and suits for those who just started their journey on self-development path. However already experienced ones can find it exciting to read about Sun Tzu's strategies with modern explanations.
Books is good enough, but not perfect. I've expected more from it.
Really looking forward for another works not so high level with more practical details.
April 5, 2015
While there were some good points raised in application of Sun Tzu principles in working towards your goals, they were rarely delved into depth.
The first part of the book is a brief translation of the Sun Tzu Art of War text. For a clearer and much more detailed analysis of the Sun Tzu Art of War (with original text), I would highly recommend "Qi Men Dun Jia Sun Tzu Warcraft" by Joey Yap instead.
The first part of the book is a brief translation of the Sun Tzu Art of War text. For a clearer and much more detailed analysis of the Sun Tzu Art of War (with original text), I would highly recommend "Qi Men Dun Jia Sun Tzu Warcraft" by Joey Yap instead.
August 17, 2014
Has the whole Sun Tzu and the Art of War in translation in it, so there's that. It's attempts to connect it to business: not so good. Also funny: The discussion of the Art of War by US soldiers in the War in Afghanistan, a war Sun Tzu would TOTALLY think is stupid because it's a prolongued campaign and not winnable.
August 29, 2008
hormat suhu...
Read
February 11, 2012cemungut.....
T.T
T.T
November 13, 2012
just started reading this for a book review on Friday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2013
The book starts by an full copy of the original "The Art of War" and then it gives advices based on it. very good one I definitely recommended for anyone to read.
May 21, 2013
Easy to read self-help book.
May 11, 2015
This books compliments the 33 Strategies of War by Robert Green. What this book does is to put muscles on the skeleton rules of war so that you are able to see the daily battles of life.
December 2, 2013
I used this as a course text in my seminar class. This is simple read that packs a powerful message... what a perfect complimentary book to a wonderful class!
March 29, 2013
A should-read book on executive ability in managing your career.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews