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- Everyone should know about Sun Tzu...
- Excellent Interpretation
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Sun Tzu's Art of War: The Modern Chinese Interpretation
General Tao Hanzhang , and
Tao Hanzhang
Manufacturer: Sterling Innovation
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Book Description
A classic! Find inspiration in some of history’s great military victories as others have for over 2,400 years. Sun Tzu was the most famous military scientist, and one of the ablest commanders, in ancient China. Asian warlords, and modern leaders as dissimilar as Mao Tse-tung and General Eisenhower, have used his principles to change the shape of the world. Interpreted here by General Tao Hanzhang, one of the architects of the Communist Revolution, Tzu’s advice on timing, maneuvering, flexibility, and knowledge of the enemy’s leaders, strengths, and weaknesses is as powerful today as when it was first issued.
Customer Reviews:
Everyone should know about Sun Tzu..........2003-10-30
I take a star off because, frankly, alot of the geography/history is a bit too arcane for the Western reader.
But it's a great book nonetheless.
Excellent Interpretation.......2000-06-13
This book provides a modern and more digestable reading
Book Description
The definitive book on ancient military principles that is strikingly relevant to the War on Terror, the war in Iraq, and the rise of China as a geopolitical power
The history of China is a history of warfare. Wars have caused dynasties to collapse, fractured the thin faade of national unity, and brought decades of alien occupation. But throughout Chinese history, its warfare has been guided by principles different from those that governed Europe. Chinese strategists followed the concept, first articulated by Sun-tzu in The Art of War, of qi (ch'i), or unorthodox, warfare. The concept of qi involves creating tactical imbalances in order to achieve victory against even vastly superior forces.
Ralph D. Sawyer, translator of The Art of War and one of America's preeminent experts on Chinese military tactics, here offers a comprehensive guide to the ancient practice of unorthodox warfare. He describes, among many other tactics, how Chinese generals have used false rumors to exploit opposing generals' distrust of their subordinates; dressed thousands of women as soldiers to create the illusion of an elite attack force; and sent word of a false surrender to lure enemy troops away from a vital escape route.
The Tao of Deception is the book that military tacticians and military historians will turn to as the definitive guide to a new, yet ancient, way of thinking about strategy.
Book Description
The Tao Te Ching, after the Bible, is the most translated book in the world. Its reputed author, Lao Tzu, lived about 2600 years ago. Faced with a corrupt, competitive, egocentric society, which had lost its way (sound familiar), he left society riding upon an ox. He felt that society had lost the Tao and that was the cause of the decline of the civilization. Humans have always had an insatiable hunger for spiritual guidance and recently westerners have had a rekindled interest in the Tao. Perhaps it is because we see the same problems today that Lao Tzu saw in his day.
The "Star Wars" series contains, for some, a philosophical basis. "The Tao of Star Wars" uses the motifs from the "Star Wars" series to explain the basic tenets of Taoism. Although some of these concepts are relatively familiar, such as acceptance, patience and simplicity, their nuances as they apply to Taoism are invigorated utilizing the "Star Wars" motifs. Other tenets, such as wu wei, yin-yang and p'u, may be completely foreign to the western mind and deep philosophical explanations are not practical for application to daily living. Since following the Tao is walking a living path in harmony with the way the world is sensible definitions are needed. These Taoist concepts have life breathed into them by the "Star Wars" themes. This will allow the reader to apply these concepts to one's life as the essence of the Tao is to experience life in the present moment.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book.......2007-02-20
An excellent book reflective of the current practice or Trauma Medicine today.
Easy to Understand.......2007-01-26
This book is great if you didn't understand what the Jedi were trying to teach in Star Wars. I don't think it is a book that you can read if you haven't seen Star Wars, because you won't know what he is referring to. Watch the Star Wars movies, then get the book. Also it is a great introduction to Taoism.
A nice introduction to the Tao.......2005-05-27
I just finished reading this gem. It is a very nice introduction to the Tao with a Star Wars Twist, wetting the appetite for more. If your interested in Taoism and you are a Star Wars fan, a Jedi perhaps ;) you can not pass this up.
Inspirational Introduction to the Tao Te Ching.......2004-12-08
The Tao is a path...the only logical act is to travel it. ~John M. Porter, M.D. (Professor of Clinical Surgery in Arizona)
John M. Porter has been studying the Tao and believes following the Tao is like "walking a living path." I loved how he takes The Star Wars series and explains how it is connected to the basic tenets of Taoism. He shows how Taoist roots touch every aspect of life from feng shui to qu gong or I Ching.
If you are new to The Tao Te Ching, it will be interesting to read the translated portions from Stephen Mitchell's translation. If you are a Star Wars fan, then you will enjoy a wealth of quotes. The author's comments are interspaced between quotes from the movie and The Tao Te Ching. You may also find the Chinese characters to be interesting. There are drawings throughout.
The Chapters Include:
Taoism - an overview and an explanation as to why the Tao is highly personal. There is a brief summary of the concepts to follow in each additional chapter.
The Force as the Tao - Quotes from George Lucas and the connection between his movies and Joseph Campbell's teachings.
Each additional chapter takes one quality and explores how it shows up in the movies:
Acceptance
Patience - This chapter was of special interest to me since I once prayed for patience and since then have been thrown into the patience journey. (You sometimes get what you pray for...) In this chapter he shows how Luke needs patience. He then quotes "Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are" from chapter 67 of The Tao Te Ching. Then he gives these quotes:
Yoda: (signing) Will he finish what he begins?
Then the author shows how patience and perseverance work together to yield good results. Thinking of "patience in action" was a new concept for me.
Uncarved Block
Wu Wei
Simplicity
Humility
Life Experience
Present Moment Living
Yoda the Sage Master - I loved the "Traits of a Master" in the Yoda chapter. These can be wonderful goals for anyone seeking to live a more spiritual existence.
John M. Porter is a natural teacher who knows how to take examples and fill them out into life teachings. This book made me want to go rent the entire Star Wars series and it is a must-have for Star War fans. I found this book to be a peaceful, healing read and I can highly recommend it to you.
~TheRebeccaReview.com
A good introduction to taoism for Star Wars fans.......2004-07-06
This is a good, simple book that shows the correlation between taoist philosophy and the Star Wars films. The author's writing style is enjoyable and the book is very easy to follow. If you are a fan of the Star Wars films and would like to learn about taoism, then I recommend this book. Of course, you should also pick up a copy of the Tao Te Ching, which is the cornerstone of the philosophy -- I recommend the translations by Jonathan Star and Brian Browne Walker.
Book Description
In The Tao of Spycraft, for the first time anywhere Ralph Sawyer unfolds the long and venerable tradition of spycraft and intelligence work in traditional China, revealing a vast array of theoretical materials and astounding historical developments. Encompassing extensive translations of relevant portions of theoretical military manuals previously unknown in the West (such as the T'ai-pai Yin-ching, Hu-ling Ching, and Ping-fa Pai-yen), the book spans centuries to trace the development and expansion of agent concepts, insertion and control methods, recruitment, and covert practices such as assassination, subversion, and sexual entrapment and exploitation. The book goes on to explore counter-intelligence and all aspects of military intelligence, including objectives, analysis and interpretation.
Customer Reviews:
Informative, yet slow read........1999-12-31
An excellent, thoughroughly researched and well indexed tome on the history of the Chinese propensity for intelligence collection at all levels. This book combined with "Chinese Intelligence Operations" by Nicholas Eftimiades provides valuable insight into one of the worlds most populus, yet fairly closed societies. With tensions in Asia in a constant state of flux this book is a must read for intelligence professionals and enthusiasts alike. The only drawback is the author's style, which makes for some dry stretches, still worth the money.
Book Description
This is no ordinary self-help book. The magic of movies, novels, art, mythology, history, philosophy, and literature are brought together in the exploration of the legend of Parzival. It is the blueprint of the heros life-the one we were all meant to strive for. Includes Parzival summaries, journal exercises, bibliography, filmography/synopses, and index.
Customer Reviews:
A fascinating read.......2003-03-23
If I had to use one word to describe this book it would have to be "brilliant". Shelly Durrell deftly takes the reader on a highly informative journey through the story of Parzival and the Grail complete with a detailed psychological analysis. At the same time she explores how the theme is used consistently throughout some of the most successful films of our time including Star Wars, Forest Gump, The Natural, and others. This is a strong and detailed exegesis of the Arthurian tale of Parzival, the search for the Grail, and the Fisher King. By understanding Parzival and the Fisher King we come to understand how to heal our own emotional wounds.
A story of hurt, growth, and healing, "Healing the Fisher King" is a wonderful read as Shelly Durrell provides a thoroughly illuminating examination of all aspects of the tale. It is a highly recommended read for people dealing with an emotional hurt that will not heal, an interest in fine literature, or anyone else that just enjoys a well written book that shows the common bonds that we all must experience and work through in our lives. Bravo, Shelly Durrell.
Brilliant.......2002-10-02
Shelly Durrell writes elequently, and is still comprehensible for any reader. She relates the stories and tales of Parzival to the movies we watch everyday -as well as the experiences in life we live through daily. Along with the symbolism and lessons, you are given a chance to reflect, write, and meditate while reading the book. This all results in a beautiful awakening of the spirit. Highly recommended!!!!
A life journey worth striving for.......2002-09-14
Healing The Fisher King: Spiritual Lessons With Parzival, Gump, The Grail, Tao, And Star Wars by Shelly Durrell is a metaphysical self-actualization book that traces beloved modern movies back to their roots to the Arthurian legend of "Parzival," written by Wolfram von Eschenbach in the twelfth century. Durrell summarizing "Parzival" for those who have not read it, presenting the Hero's Life as a life journey worth striving for, offering meditations and psychological exercises, drawing extensive connections to film and proffering numerous full-color photographs of movies, classical artwork, and more. Healing The Fisher King is an literate, complex, and personally rewarding metaphysical journey that readers of all familiarity levels with metaphysics and popular culture references will enjoy paging through from beginning to end.
Book Description
Martial artists, great warriors, coaches, generals, and successful corporate CEOs effectively use the strategies for winning found in Sun Tzu's Art of War. Authors Jerry Lynch and Chungliang Al Huang, using lessons from the The Art of War, as well as other ancient Taoist books such as the I Ching and Tao Te Ching, teach readers to develop the capacities and qualities that make a champion-such as high self-esteem, courage, fortitude, determination, perseverance, tenacity, self-awareness, integrity, the ability to take risks, and the ability to learn from failure. The emphasis on self-awareness, tactical positioning, and strategic advantage means that practitioners win through inner growth and self-improvement-giving them a universal competitive edge.
Book Description
The perfect companion to the best-selling Art of War, this fascinating book provides lessons from ancient China on the dynamics of conflict.
Wang Chen, a ninth-century military commander, was sickened by the carnage that had plagued the glorious T'ang dynasty for decades. "All within the seas were poisoned," he wrote, "and pain and disaster was rife throughout the land." Wang Chen wondered, how can we end conflicts before they begin? How can we explain and understand the dynamics of conflict? For the answer he turned to a remarkable source-the Tao Te Ching. Here is Wang Chen's own rendering of and commentary on the ancient text, insightfully expanded and amplified by translator Ralph D. Sawyer, a leading scholar of Chinese military history.
Although the Tao long influenced Chinese military doctrine, Wang Chen's interpretations produced the first reading of it as a martial text--a "tao of war." Like Sun-tzu's Art of War, certainly the most famous study of strategy ever written, the Tao provides lessons for the struggles of contemporary life. In the way that the ancient Art of War provides inspiration and advice on how to succeed in competitive situations of all kinds, even in today's world, Wang Chen's The Tao of War uncovers action plans for managing conflict and promoting peace.
A book to put on the shelf next to Art of War, Wang Chen's The Tao of War is a reference of equally compelling and practical advice.
Customer Reviews:
An interesting book, but it does not seem to especially complement the Art of War.......2006-07-12
Let me first describe what this book is, because I did not know when I ordered it, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you have read the Tao Te Ching you know that it is broken up into a lot of "chapters" each consisting of a short blip of wisdom. This book is broken up into these same chapters, with the Tao Te Ching text first, then Wang Chen's commentary discussing how this verse applies to leadership, thus the description of it as martial Tao Te Ching. Sawyer then comments on each chapter of the text.
This is a book that is about Taoism more than anything else. Sawyer's commentary in the chapters discusses Wang Chen's interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, and in this commentary you will find most of what is discussed previously in the introduction, so read the background information on who Wang Chen was and the time in which he lived, and skip the rest of the introduction.
This book does bring up some interesting ideas about war and peace in relation to Taoism in an abstract philosophiocal sense, but this is mostly a book about Taoism (which is why I like the book) rather than a manual on the theory of warfare or a history of Chinese warfare as I thought it would be. If you want a history of Chinese warfare, look elsewhere, and if you want theory of warfare start with a copy of Clausewitz's famous treatise "On War," then learn about the Lanchester equations of combat (search the internet), and go from there.
Buyer beware: not for everyone........2005-07-01
I purchased this book because, as the cover states, it seemed to be the perfect companion to Sawyer's excellent translation of the Art of War. I'm afraid that claim isn't very accurate. On the surface this book does appear quite promising--Sawyer has translated ninth-century commander Wang Chen's commentary on the classic Tao Te Ching and has even retranslated the source text itself; and a Taoist-military perspective on the nature of combat and conflict is certainly enough to catch one's attention. The historical importance and timelessness of the matter treated provide further value to the work.
So why only 3 stars? Well, my first problem involves the organization of this book. Sawyer provides an introduction to Wang's commentary in which he briefly addresses historical details and the purpose of composition, and then moves on to address certain salient issues within the text. I found this introduction basically worthless, however. Sawyer appears to be merely going through the motions here--his scholarship in this introduction is lacking compared to what he did with the Art of War--and much of the introductory text consists of quotes and summaries from the pages to come. In other words, it offers little new insight; if you're going to be looking at extensive quotations, why not just read the book itself? I realize that criticizing the introduction usually doesn't offer much information about the text as a whole, but in this case I believe it does. I say this because the book follows a format of Tao Te Ching > Wang Chen > Sawyer, with each offering an interpretation of the previous one. So the issue here is a trait characterizing the entire work: we see Lao-Tzu's original Tao Te Ching text, which is then interpreted in a military- or government-centered nature by Wang, whose commentaries are then either explained or expanded upon by Sawyer. This is no bad thing, and within the book proper the translator shows his extensive knowledge of the material. Nonetheless, I don't see why this would be of value to the average reader (toward whom the book is obviously aimed). Wang provides a unique reading of the Tao Te Ching, but what it seems we have here is primarily multiple layers of commentary that come off as, well, filler. And that's my main reason for the low rating. Not much here seems essential to understanding the text: it's nothing other than multiple commentaries on a single source and there really isn't a need for extensive explanation. Sawyer does his best to work with what's there, but honestly, what's there isn't very interesting. Much is written but not much is actually said.
I have a hard time envisioning this book being necessary for greater appreciation of either Sun-Tzu's Art of War or the nature of conflict in general. Sawyer's translation of the Art of War is ostensibly geared toward the business-politics world, and the Tao of War masquerades as a perfect complement to Sawyer's previous successful translation. I fail to agree with that assertion. With a more scholarly introduction and wider scope, this book could be quite useful to students of Chinese philosophy or military history, or to those eager to read new interpretations of the Tao Te Ching. It does not, however, strike me as successful when one considers its purpose; it comes off as an attempt to capitalize upon the commercial success of Sawyer's other books. The cover in particular emphasizes this: no mention is made of Wang Chen, only Sawyer's name appears on the front, and what is a mostly unrelated book is made to resemble the Art of War. This may work comercially (as well as follow classic military principles of deception) but I find it rather misleading for the average consumer.
So, to conclude: if you're deeply interested in Chinese military history, I would recommend this book as a supplement to your studies. If you enjoyed the applicability of Sawyer's Art of War and are looking for something along the same lines, well, you won't find it here, and I recommend you to look elsewhere. Still curious? Buy it used if you must. It shouldn't be too difficult to find unwanted copies.
A martial version of the Tao Te Ching.......2004-10-10
Ralph Sawyer is a leading scholar of Chinese warfare and has worked extensively with major military agencies, so he's the perfect author of choice to translate The Tao Of War, a martial version of the Tao Te Ching. The original author Wang Chen was a 9th-century Chinese military commander sickened by carnage and began using the ancient Tao Te Ching for peaceful purposes: his interpretations produced the first reading of it as a martial text of strategy, and Ralph Sawyer's in-depth interpretations go far in placing its military importance in modern Western hands.
Ian Myles Slater on: The Way of War and Peace.......2004-03-26
As discreetly acknowledged on the back cover, this book was originally published in hardcover as "The Tao of Peace." That edition, published by Shambhala, clearly identified itself on its cover as a translation of a work by the T'ang Dynasty general Wang Chen (about 800 C.E.), a product of one of the classical periods of Chinese history. The Westview Press version is a little harder to recognize for what it is.
In both versions, it is in fact a translation, with an introduction and commentary by the translators, of "Tao-te-Ching lun-ping yao-yi-shu," one of the more unusual of the many surviving Chinese commentaries on the "Tao Te Ching" or "Lao-Tzu." ("Daodejing" and "Laozi" in the current Pinyin transliteration; the Sawyers continue to use the familiar Wade-Giles system.) The "5000-character Classic" (as it is also known, and as Wang Chen sometimes cites it) was of exceptional importance to the T'ang; the supposed author was officially an ancestor of the dynasty, the Chinese roots of which were often questioned.
The Westview edition has been repackaged, slightly revised in references to the title, and expanded by a section of "Further Reading" which is in effect a catalogue of the translators' other books on Chinese military thought for Westview, rather than for study of the "Tao-Te-Ching." (For some suggestions, see below.)
Ralph D. Sawyer explains in the Preface that they have also provided a translation of the "Tao-Te-Ching" itself, which uses Wang Chen's apparent readings and parsing of the text, and so differs from the many earlier translations, and from the Sawyers' own understanding of the book. Each of the eighty-one chapters consists of a passage of the Lao-Tzu, Wang Chen's explanation of its application, and the translators' explication of its (mainly military and political) context and significance.
The two alternative titles of the translation reflect the thrust of Wang Chen's commentary equally well, although the choice seems to reflect the markets served by the two publishers. As is the case with many Shambhala publications, the volume is rather thin on references, although Sawyer's Preface does mention some important translations of the "Tao Te Ching." Since he explains that the book is directed at ordinary readers, he might have expanded some of these brief comments in the Preface -- the ordinary reader may not be familiar with, say, the difference between the Ho Shang Kung and Wang Pi texts of Lao-Tzu, which he mentions in passing. (These are two early commentaries, whose approaches and textual readings mark the religious and philosophical approaches to the book; the received "Wang Pi" *text* of Lao-tzu, by the way, seems not to correspond completely to the one implied in his commentary! For relevant bibliography, see below.)
Wang Chen and his "commentary" are the main focus of the book. The Sawyers attempt to show how the general connects his views to a book usually treated from religious and philosophical perspectives. The question of whether Wang Chen is correctly interpreting his canonical text is, of course, of no great concern. The commentary is a common form for expressing original ideas in many cultures with strong text-based traditions, Hebrew and Sanskrit, for example, as well as Chinese. This commentary is an attempt to find a consistent basis for humane and effective government. It was intended to replace the T'ang tendency for random shifting between ruthless interventionism and quietist failure to govern. Whether this instability in policy was a cause of the dynasty's difficulties, or a dangerous symptom, is another matter. Having a contemporary analysis of the dynasty's problems is only part of the book's considerable interest.
The secondary literature on the Taoist classic is very large, and the number of translations continues to grow. The Sawyers' work offers an unexpected reading, and does not require a wider knowledge of the base text to be appreciated on its own terms.
Those seriously interested in the textual problems of the "Tao-Te-Ching" can now consult the recent technical edition and translation by Rudolf G. Wagner, "A Chinese Reading of the Daodejing: Wang Bi's Commentary on the Laozi with Critical Text and Translation" (2003). Together with Wagner's "The Craft of a Chinese Commentator: Wang Bi on the Laozi" (2000), and "Language, Ontology, and Political Philosophy in China: Wang Bi's Scholarly Exploration of the Dark (Xuanxue)" (2003) it was published in the State University of New York (SUNY) Press "Chinese Philosophy and Culture" series. They are significantly more difficult than "The Tao of War," or almost any of the readily available translations of Lao-tzu.
SUNY had also published Alan K. L. Chan's "Two Visions of the Way: A Study of the Wang Pi and the Ho-shang Kung Commentaries on the Lao-Tzu," in its older "Series in Chinese Philosophy" (1991), which, although slightly antiquated, offers a fascinating comparison of two of the earliest of the competing philosophical, political, and religious interpretations, to which Wang Chen was adding.
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- www.sportofdistraction.com
- All warfare is based on deception
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The Art of War/The Book Of Lord Shang (Wordsworth Classics of World Literature) (Wordsworth Classics of World Literature)
Sun-tzu , and
Shang Yang
Manufacturer: Wordsworth Editions Ltd
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1853267791 |
Product Description
The two political classics in this book are the product of a time of intense turmoil in Chinese history. Dating from the Period of the Warring States (403-221BC), they anticipate Machiavelli's The Prince by nearly 2000 years. The Art of War is the best known of a considerable body of Chinese works on the subject. It analyses the nature of war, and reveals how victory may be ensured. The Book of Lord Shang is a political treatise for the instruction of rulers. These texts are anything but armchair strategy or ivory-tower speculation. They are serious, urgent and practical responses to the desperate situations in which they were written. They have been immensely influential both inside and outside China.
Customer Reviews:
www.sportofdistraction.com.......2005-11-06
The aspects found in both books that accompany this version of The Art of War are definitely worth the time & money. I've even heard it said that the 2nd book, The Book of Lord Shang, is more appealing than The Art of War. In any event, the exposure to Chinese culture through the paradigm of war strategy is quite interesting, and worthwhile.
All warfare is based on deception.......2005-04-14
As R. Wilkinson remarks in his excellent introduction, in the era when Sun Tzu wrote his 'Art of War', 'war had become the most serious business of the State, the key to survival or ruin.'
Warfare was for Sun Tzu first of all a question of psychology, before strategies and tactics came into play.
Psychologically, the art of warfare is the art to deceive.
Sun Tzu is a master in psychological warfare: sap the morale of your enemy and be cleverer (wisdom, not force alone).
For him 'supreme excellence is to subdue the enemy without fighting.'
His strategy is based on foreknowledge (spying) in order to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses (political, geographical, defensive, offensive) of your enemy. And if you are not strong enough, you should be cleverer through diplomacy.
His basic tactics are flexibility, gaining the initiative and not fighting a protracted war.
For all that, you need the best commander, not the best sovereign, for a sovereign can bring misfortune upon his army, when ignorant of military affairs and\or command problems.
What the sovereign should do is 'bring his people in harmony with their ruler'.
This text is rightly a classic. People who launch preventive wars should follow a few of Sun Tzu's recommendations.
On the other hand, it says a lot about mankind that one of the first literary classics doesn't have the title 'The Art of Peace'.
General Tao Hanzhang's comments contain some excellent examples of cold war tactics, but he also forces Sun Tzu's hands.
'Bring people in harmony with their ruler' becomes 'the sovereign should use political pressure or other means to bring the people in harmony with him'; and, 'the ruler has to impose his will upon the people'.
Sun Tzu becomes an atheist because he doesn't believe in gods, but only in real spying.
He is also a dialectical materialist.
But he overemphasizes the function of generals. For Tao Hanzhang, Sun Tzu's principle that 'there are occasions when the commands of the sovereign (read 'Mao') need not to be obeyed' is now obsolete.
His evaluation of the Hitler\Stalin pact is a serious joke.
Excellent range of texts.......2004-01-08
The book has 3 parts. The first is a translation of Sun Tzu's classic The Art of War. Certainly almost everyone must have heard about it - it is considered one of the first books to be printed. It is 13 short chapters each one dealing with a specific aspect of strategy in warfare. The text is of a high quality and for those like me who are sick of seeing Sun's masterpiece massacred in today's bookstores with most titles offering extensive commentary on how to apply the battle strategies in "business" etc etc, this simple translation which presents what Sun himself actually said is a gem. There's no commentary as the translation is clear enough.
The second part is Tao Han Zhang's commentary on The Art of War. Tao was a commander in Mao Ze Dong's People's Liberation Army. On the one hand he does offer some interesting strategic insights. But on the other, it's hard to take someone collaborating with one of the most brutal regimes of the 20th century seriously, especially when he's talking about how Sun was an atheist and laid the principles of dialectic materialism!
The third part reverts to a primary Chinese source - it's the lesser known Book of Lord Shang. This is a treatise on how to rule a country with an iron fist, a handbook on how to be a ruthless and successful dictator. Compared in this edition to Machiavelli's The Prince, Shang actually makes Machiavelli look like a saint. His book and theories founded the Legalist school of thought and his policies were actually successfully implemented by China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang Ti (that's how he got to be emperor!). A must read in today's world considering how many of the 200-or-so countries are brutal dictatorships. Frightening and yet fascinating.
Another interesting thing is by putting The Art of War and Lord Shang in the same volume the publishers seem to be saying that both are the products of their time and were influenced by the feudalism of the era. A welcome change from forced large-scale comparisons to today.
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- this book is not good
- Superb work on New Mexico and Taos School painting
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The Art in New Mexico, 1900-1945: Paths to Taos and Santa Fe
Charles C. Eldredge
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Similar Items:
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Paintings of the Southwest
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Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West
ASIN: 0896595986 |
Customer Reviews:
this book is not good.......2002-10-11
it was long boring and down right stupid dont get it
Superb work on New Mexico and Taos School painting.......2001-11-09
Many, many illustrations and excellent text make this a must-read for any devotee of New Mexico and Taos painting. I have a copy of the author's bought in a used book store; Amazon lists it as 'limited availability', so if interested you ought to order one soon.
Average customer rating:
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The Taos Massacres
John Durand
Manufacturer: Puzzlebox Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
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ASIN: 0974378305 |
Book Description
A well-written story that follows several real-life characters through the turmoil of the rebellion that rocked northern New Mexico in 1847. Supplemented by battle diagrams from the official military history of the campaign to put down the rebellion, and a first-ever chronology of events.
Customer Reviews:
History made live.......2004-01-16
Taos Massacres is a gripping story - Mr. Durand's writing is full of description, including details of smell and touch that I found made the experiences being described feel very real and personal.
The story itself, of what happened in New Mexico in those days is an interesting one and illustrative of so many issues in our country in those days - and today.
I also really liked the authors comments and suppositions about how the women in this story were affected or might have felt. Even the lack of mention of them while he narrated the mens stories was a statement about their importance in the men's thinking of the time. It rang true. There probably exists little record of that type of thing for one to draw on.
Small pieces of the book keep recurring to me - for me this is an indicator of a good book. The story of the two boys sitting on the hill talking about New Mexico becoming part of the US...the hispanic boys reaction and the white boys...subtle and a bit tense. The story of the chaos in the barn at Turley's mill.and the encounter of old friends in the hills that lead to betrayal.
All in all, a very enjoyable read that I'd strongly recommend.
I reserved the 5th star because I'd have loved to see more maps, photos and illustrations.
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