The Art of War Author:Sun-Tzu Ralph D. Sawyer, translator From Front Matter (dust jacket) — The Art of War was originally intended as a set of principles designed to maximize the chances for military victory and national survival, and minimize the chances of military defeat and human loss. Whatever philosophic purposes it has been put to by later generations and other cultures, Sun Tzu’s classic work.... more ».. is best understood in the context for which it was initially created.« less