Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers; 50 Strategic Rules
Author: Sunzi, Gerald A. Michaelson
List Price: $10.95
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ISBN: 1580624596
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation (February, 2001)
Sales Rank: 11,323
Average Customer Rating: 4.19 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers
Gerald Michaelson has done a masterful job in his book "Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers." In my view the book is an excellent resource that the reader can read and use as she or he likes. Let me explain. First, the book can be read in the conventional way from cover to cover. Or second, depending on one's interest, one might just read the "Art of War" text itself. Or thirdly, a reader might read only the 'Manager's Commentary.' The reader, yet again, has other choices. She or he might choose to read the 'Practical Applications' section. Still the reader might choose to concentrate on the 'Outline of Key Concepts.' And finally, one could read the various sections of Michaelson's book in any way that one would want or see fit. As the author says, '...the book is formulated around the understanding that strategy is a mental process." So no matter what business I might be in, the creation of this strategic mental process is what is critical, not just the list of strategic principles.
Michaelson has created a work that allows the readers to absorb and apply in total or to absorb and apply in parts. Readers can use what they understand, what they like, or what works for them.
Finally, this is a book that is not meant to be read just once; it is rather a source to be referred to again and again as 'new' circumstances and situations arise.
Rating: 2 out of 5
unfortunately dry
i was thrilled to see a new gerald michaelson bok on the shelf. so, i bought it with great anticipation. however, i've found it very dry. michaelson quotes sun tzu and gives quick summaries and examples from the corporate world. michaelson also features sun tzu quotes that have been interpreted by other writers and strategists. these interpretations are frequently word for word -- or darn close. for instance g.m. might quote sun tzu as saying "the sky is blue." then, underneath it, he'll feature two or three others interpreting sun tzu saying, "if you look at the sky it is blue." wow! what keen insight! i was very disappointed with this book -- it's dry. I found myself falling asleep whenever i opened it up. read "winning the marketing war" instead. my copy has been highlighted again and again and again. "winning the marketing war" offers real world advice applicable to any business. "the art of war for managers" does not.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Effective strategies for handling a multitude of conflicts
"Make an estimate of the situation" and "fight only the battles you can win," are but two of the strategic rules outlined in Gerald A. Michaelson's translation of "The Art of War". Chinese strategist, Sun Tzu wrote the original 7000-word treatise 2500 years ago, and today his view of military strategy continues to be studied worldwide, not only by military commanders but also by others who seek to develop a winning strategy. "The Art of War for Managers" is an excellent book, easy to read with translations of the ancient text boiled down to fifty short simple rules that can be used by managers in a variety of career fields. Each of the thirteen chapters serves to group the strategic rules for easy reference and study while providing a "Manager's Commentary" which serves as a contemporary example of Sun Tzu's strategic points. Michaelson also provides his readers with a section of detailed examples from managers who have adopted one or more of Sun Tzu's strategies, as well as an outline of the key concepts detailed in each chapter. In the West, we tend to have the attitude that we must win all of the time, or win at any cost. Michaelson's translation and interpretation of Sun Tzu provides insight that suggests that we must choose our battles rather than fight every battle, and that there are ways to win without fighting at all. Each of the fifty strategic rules in this book will provide the reader the opportunity to develop effective strategies to handle a multitude of conflicts, and is well worth the time investment. Similar Products
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