The treaty consists of 13 chapters with no real overall plan, which almost inevitably leads to repetition. This is a kind of enumeration of the various points that influence the conduct of military operations (estimation of the situation, weaknesses and strengths, maneuvers of all kinds, types of terrain, offensive strategy ...) until the use of secret agents, the heart of the classic strategy: know thyself, know thy enemy and in a hundred battles you will never not defeated.
It is interesting to read the book founder of the Japanese military thought (Tokugawa as the best disciple of Sun Tzu to impose the shogunate) and Mao Tse Tung Chinese up, which is very supportive of this work, often paraphrasing verses . However, feedback from reviewers, intercalated in the original text, are not always relevant; Topics can, at least to the untrained observer, seem outdated and difficult to apply today, both in the military strategy in other areas.
This edition includes most of the treaty a very long preface, dedicated among others to Sun Tzu (has he really exist?), A surcharge on the influence of the Art of War in the Japanese military thought, another Wu Chi on biographies and some commentators Sun Tzu (Ts'ao Ts'ao, Tu Mu ...). If you are interested in the reflections on military strategy, this book is for you. Otherwise, it may be hard, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing -a can what you mean when it comes to Sun Tzu and the Art of War.
