Thoughts on the Art of War - Book 1 of 52

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Hey guys book one of fifty two has been devoured and i'm ready for the next one. Before I give you my thoughts on Art of War, I want to give you the link to my challenge, incase you want to follow it or see where I'm going next.

https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/5iqd7j/a_2017_reading_challenge_to_keep_you_well_rounded/

I would love some recommendations and thoughts.

The Art of War - Sun Tzu

The Art of War was written in the 500 BC by a Chinese Military General named Sun Tzu. It's a 13 chapter text devoted to various aspects of warfare.

This book has always popped up in my life as a book I should read. Countless people have recommended it and even more have given me that face of disgust when I tell them it's on my to do list. Dave Grohl is exhibiting said face for your pleasure.

When I started reading and found out that it was a book actually about aspects of war I was surprised. Why would doctors, nurses and teachers recommend a work focused upon victory on the battle field?

Somewhere through the second chapter, I realised why this book has had such a long lasting pull, and that my friends and colleagues aren't all hell bent on military success.

With my literal hat off and my more colourful metaphorical one resting above my brow, the book opened up.

The Art of War highlights how to fight wars without fighting.

"Move only if there is real advantage to be gained."

It gives advice on how to defeat your enemy before reaching the stage of battle. Battles can be anything from not eating chocolate and your enemy can be the voice in your head that tells you to re-watch every episode of Friends.

The ideas that filter through allow you to look at scenarios in your own life and think of different approaches. I've even used some elements in how I go about my writing.

Studying your opponent and knowing your limits and strengths is something Sun Tzu returns to freuquently. If I take my opponent as my novel, I have to understand what I'm up against as best as I can. Approach the task with a level head, does sound like an easy answer when I word it to you, but there is something lasting about coming to the realisation yourself and adapting Sun Tzu's teachings for your own situations.

The writing style of the text is very straight forward but that's what I expected. It's there to be clear and inform.

I'd recommend this book to everyone, at least for one read. Personally, it doesn't have the re-read ability of a 'Tao Te Ching'. But it is something that I will return to from time to time.

My book for next week is supposed to be by an author from my country. I've chosen Neil Gaiman and after much deliberation I've gone for his novel 'Neverwhere.'

Anyone read it? Comment below and let me know what i'm in for :)

Thanks for reading x

Matt

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allthingsm4tt

Writer of things, meme supplier, semi-occasional six string swordist, sporadic cinema goer and smiler.