The Art of War by Sun Tzu: The Oldest Treatise on Strategic Warfare

This special edition is published by Rolf Contemporary, Ltd. The Art of War is commonly attributed to the mythical Sun Tzu. It presents a complete philosophy of war for managing conflicts and winning clear victories. It is widely accepted as a masterpiece on strategy, referenced by generals and theorists throughout history. Of the texts written before the unification of China, six major works survived, including Sun Tzu's classic. During the Song Dynasty, these six works were combined with a Tang Dynasty text into a collection called the Seven Military Classics. As a central part of that compilation, the Art of War formed the foundations of orthodox military theory in China. Illustrating this point, it was required reading to pass the tests needed for imperial appointment to military positions. It is The Oldest Treatise on Strategic Warfare.