The art of war is an ancient chinese military treatise dating from the late spring and autumn period roughly 5th century bc the work which is attributed to the ancient chinese military strategist sun tzu master sun also spelled sunzi is composed of 13 chapters each one is devoted to an aspect of warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. The art of war by sun tzu the most important and most famous military treatise in asia for the last two thousand years with side by side translation and commentary cross references and pdf and text downloads of the full book. Harpercollins is proud to present its new range of best loved essential classics opportunities multiply as they are seized written in the 6th century bc sun tzus the art of war is a chinese military treatise that is still revered today as the ultimate commentary on war and military strategy. Sun tzu said the art of war is of vital importance to the state 2 it is a matter of life and death a road either to safety or to ruin hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected 3 the art of war then is governed by five constant factors to be taken into account in ones