Best Art of War translation?

[Balog]

I've been hearing about this work for years, but have never got around to reading it. Every time I've tried, I'm bewildered by the plethora of translations. Can anyone recommend a good version?

Edit: put ? in subject line

 

[Bill Hook]

I have one at home that's pretty good. I'll take a look to see what edition it is.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I thought the Sam Griffith edition was better than Wade-Giles.

 

[TexasVet]

Strongly concur on Griffith's translation. The added material in it is a big help in understanding the book.

 

[Bill Hook]

Griffith it is.

 

[TheeBadOne]

Links

http://www.chinapage.com/sunzi-e.html

http://www.kimsoft.com/polwar.htm

http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Links Fixed now

 

[BryanP]

Hey TBD, when you paste in a link and you paste the URL in where it asks you for the text to be displayed, then just click "ok" on the second prompt ("Enter the full URL"), you end up with a link which you can cut and paste but if you click on it you don't go anywhere. FYI.

It's like the difference between this:

http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=020713

and this -

http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=020713

(the top one should work, the second won't)

 

[TheeBadOne]

Links fixed now, thanks, and sorry for the trouble.

 

[El Tejon]

Balog, please don't laugh, however the best version that I have found is a cartoonish version from the ROC called Sun Zi Speaks. I had to read it for my boxing club. The Sifu is SF and puts a high value on quick learning--get trained up!--and in his experience (usually with people who do not speak English) that words combined with pictures are best.

You can find Sun Zi Speaks at major book chains such as Barnes and Noble or Border's. Note the spelling--if you or the clerk type in Sun Zu, Sun Tzu, Sun Tsu, Sun Wu, you will not find it.

HTH--get trained up!

 

[Balog]

El Tejon: I'm a wee bit confused. I don't know what a few of your acronyms mean. What do these stand for; ROC, Sifu, SF, HTH? Other than that, sounds like a pretty cool version.

 

[El Tejon]

ROC=Republic of China, Taiwan

Sifu=teacher-father, your instructor in Chinese boxing (unless female, then Simu)

SF=Special Forces (United States Army)

HTH=Hope this helps

 

[Balog]

El Tejon: Gotcha. Probably should have known a couple if those.

 

[semf]

Balog
I have a copy translated by Ralph Sawyer and Mei-chun Lee Sawyer if anyone is familiar with it. If it's any good you're welcome to it

 

[garrettwc]

I have a version by Thomas Cleary. I bought it because it was pocket sized (about 3X5) so I could carry it with me for a quick read now and then.

I'm going to have to check out Giles and Griffith to see where they are different.

One of the most striking things about Sun Tzu is there are not a lot of words, but boy does he say a lot.

 

[revlar]

I'm currently reading the Ralph D. Sawyer version. I don't have anything to compare it to, but he certainly gives a lot of background information, related texts, etc.

I picked it up in hardback at Barnes & Noble for $8.00.

 

[Balog]

semf: Wait, let me get this straight. You have a copy of the book, and you want to give it to me?! Am I misreading this? If not, then yeah that'd be awesome! Super generous of you. Thanks Let me know if I'm off base here, if not I'll PM you to work the details out. Thanks again

 

[semf]

pm me your address. But I wont be able to get it out till Mon or Tue