Sun Tzus The Art of War Essay -- Sun Tzu Art War Essays

sun Tzus The wile of contendThe translation of the Sun Tzu The Art of War ancient Chinese text has been disposed by many different writers. Samuel B. Griffith, Brigadier General, retired, U.S. Marine Corps is a proved strategist that studied the English commandoes war fighting skills as a Captain. As a Major, Griffith was hand picked to serve as Executive ships officer under the command of Lieutenant Col unitaryl Merritt Edson of the 1st Raider Battalion, one of the battalions that ameliorate the amphibious landings during World War II. Samuel B. Griffith gives his in-depth study on Sun Tzu The Art of War and how Mao Tse-tung used the strategies and teachings of Sun Tzu succession commanding the inflammation Army of China. Griffiths translation of Sun Tzus work is pen in three parts Introduction, Translation, and Appendix. PART 1 INTRODUCTIONIn his first chapter of his study entitle The Author, Griffith gives many different possibilities as to who the real author of the w ritings is. Griffith sites many theories from other sources trying to validate the personal line of credit of the author, but settles on one basic theory for the text. The Art of War was written by a single author probably or so the time of the Warring States and during the periods from 400-320 B.C. (p. 11) Furthermore, Griffith states that there is non enough evidence to positively say if a person named Sun Tzu actually wrote the book or if it was written as a tribute to him, and the case of the authorship be unsettled.The second chapter, The Text, of Griffiths study focuses on the text itself. There has been believe about how many chapters were originally in The Art of War lxxxii or Thirteen. (p. 13) Griffith gives a sound theory that the current thirteen chapters were the merely writings. Based on copywriting errors, the eighty-two chapters were probably written into thirteen categories (or chapters) while trying to transcribe written work onto paper from silk or wood. Gr iffith similarly asserts that the text was used for entry-level war fighting studies in early Chinese troops academies.The Warring States is the subject and title of Griffiths ordinal chapter, which gives an edifying look at the life and times in China afterward the defeat of the rule of Chin at Ching Yang in 453. (p. 20) The country was carve up into eight individual warring sects (with the exception of Yen... ...g for you. An expendable agent is given false information on purpose. And a living agent is one that returns to the commander with information. PART III AppendixGriffiths study as well includes four different appendixes. The first is A Note from Wu ChI, the second is titled Sun Tzus Influence on Japanese Military Thought, the third is Sun Tzu in Western Languages, and the fourth appendix is Brief Biographies of the Commentators.Samuel B. Griffiths translation of Sun Tzu The Art of War is an inside look at military practices of today. I did not find one technique th at is not or would not be utilized in modern military maneuver, leadership, or training. The most astounding fact is that the Art of War was written well over two thousand years ago, even at the most conservative date. Although most of the techniques in this text are already in practice today, the value of The Art of War is a interminable treasure chest of knowledge, and it deserves a place as a unavoidable reading for anyone seeking knowledge about war fighting or the history of war.Works CitedSun Tzu The Art of War, Ed. By Samuel B. Griffith (NewYorkOxford University Press, 1963)