The Art of Peace: Balance Over Conflict in Sun-Tzu's the Art of War

So sad that ignorant "teachers" miss the point of a book like this altogether. In their blind unconsciousness they attach everything to some absurd notion that the intellect of the memory, which concocts the past so skilfully but innacurately, is the only form which a book's contents can take. This foolish notion - here exemplified by one of the "reveiwers" on this page, does nothing but place a negative view out of the ignorance of the writer (who incidentally is a mathematician!). From my reading of this book it is not about notions of academic precision but an attempt to show more people what can be learned from the past if the "hood" of modern attitude is removed. Who knows what Sun-tzu meant when he wrote the original Art of War? Who knows how life was then? Who knows even what Taoism is - certainly not this fool. I would recommend simply reading this unusual book and fogetting about the so-called "teachers," who know nothing anyway.

This is a wonderful book not only for spiritual warriors, but for everyone else too. Conflict resides within the kernel of all human relations and in nature too, and all too often we find ourselves overwhelmed by it and take actions that escalate the level of conflict rather than help to calm the situation. This book helps to remind us that in the face of conflict we do still have a choice, a position we can take that won't make us part of the conflict. It is the opposite side of the coin, or, as some would call it, the "divine view" that restores balance and peace. A great solace in times of world conflict, a good medicine for all weary spirits dealing with conflict in the great and small moments of our lives.

This is a very special, subtle and real book that gets to the heart of the human problem of aggression and conflict. If the US government, the armed forces, and the bullies of this planet were all to read this book, war would seem as foolish as it is in truth.Sadly, given it's gentle appearance, only the most discerning will notice it.