The Art of War - Sun Tzu - The Art Of War by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu was first written around the 5th century BC. It is the oldest military treatise in the world, and to this day, remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare. The book is comprised of thirteen chapters with each one being devoted to a specific set of skills and how to use them in war.Explaining everything from laying initial plans, to defense, the economy of war, the use of creativity, the need for flexibility, the use of spies, common situations, and more, The Art of War really is a complete treatise on military strategy. In addition, the rules within it have also been applied to diverse areas such as business, sport, and legal tactics. This edition, translated by Lionel Giles, was the first English translation, and includes an introduction and critical notes.