Sun Tzu for Success: How to Use the Art of War to Master Challenges and Accomplish the Important Goals in Your Life
Author: Gerald Michaelson, Steven Michaelson, Sunzi Sunzi Bing Fa
List Price: $10.95
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ISBN: 1580627765
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation (January, 2003)
Sales Rank: 40,913
Average Customer Rating: 4.57 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 3 out of 5
Some interesting strategy, and unfortunately a reality.
The basic premise of the book follows ancient Eastern war tactics dating to 500 BC. A few of these are: "know yourself and your enemy", "plan surprise", and "win without fighting". The book describes various tactics of war that will help an army be successful. These tactics are then related to modern business. What is unfortunate is that these tactics are needed at all. Instead of cooperation, and mutual respect, business climates are often hostile and overly competitive - within the organization itself!
I did find a few of these very enlightening. The section on "picking your battles" is always sage advice. I often have asked myself and others whether a particular business situation is a "hill we want to die on". The trick is to know the difference. Also of interest are the discussions on "taking the moral high ground". In today's business climate, ethics are more important than ever, as there are far too many examples these days which are evidence that the unstated ethical fabric of business relationships have deteriorated.
What is unfortunate is that the Sun Tzu tactics are often useful. While business relationships are often conflict filled battles, one can still hope and pursue mutual respect and cooperation. Overall, an interesting read, and some useful strategic tactics.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Not too original
This book is concise and well worth its cheap price. It provides some of Sun Tzu's most thought provoking text and adds the author's analysis. There has been literally hundreds of books related to Sun Tzu's writing and none of the ideas presented in this book are new. The real value of this book comes from the author's selective analysis of some of Sun Tzu's best lines.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Great Reference going to not only read again, but study
After my initial read through of this book, I know I am going to want to not only read it again, but hang on to it so I can study and reference the book. It is nice to have the original Sun Tzu narrative in the first part of the book and the authors modern day observations separated into another section of the book. I can see how the book could be used in the contest of life, sports or business. Obvioulsy if a book that was writeen over two-thousand years ago is still around today, there must be something worth looking over.
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