The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a two thousand year oldwork,reputedly authored by a famous military general and strategistwholived in ancient China. Apart from this, he is also reveredandrespected in many South Asian countries as a learnedphilosopher.The book is divided into thirteen chapters and there ishistoricalevidence to prove that it was written over a period oftime andperhaps with many borrowings and collaborations with othersimilarworks of the period. However, it was also heavily criticizedbygenerations of scholars and thinkers in later centuries asitadvocated deception and spying as accepted strategies in war.Manyscholars have also doubted whether a figure such as Sun Tzuexistedat all and have found several inaccuracies in terms ofthetimeframe in which the book was supposed to have been written.Manyfeel that the original work may have undergone severalrevisionsover the centuries before being consolidated in itspresent form.Whatever the nature of these opinions The Art of Warremains afascinating, valuable and extremely interesting work.

Each chapter explores a different aspect of war. Beginningwithelaborate plans that should be put in place before thecommencementof war, the book goes on to describe differentsituations in whichwars are fought, the kind of strategies employedin various typesof terrain, understanding the nature of the enemyand finallypositioning, timing and methods of attack.

For present day corporate warriors, The Art of War isaninvaluable text. Business management, sports and politics aresomeof the fields where it has found immense application.Conflictresolution theory has been immeasurably enhanced with theadditionof Sun Tzu's millennia-old tried and tested methods. Italsoprovides valuable assistance in the grooming ofleaders,understanding and appreciating the opponent and leveragingone'sown advantages.

The Art of War provides compelling reading for anyone whoisinterested in the dynamics of negotiation, competition,mediation,planning and arbitration.