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  • The Art of War

  • By: Sun Tzu
  • Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
  • Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (5,715 ratings)
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The Art of War cover art

The Art of War

By: Sun Tzu
Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
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Summary

The 13 chapters of The Art of War, each devoted to one aspect of warfare, were compiled by the high-ranking Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun-Tzu. In spite of its battlefield specificity, The Art of War has found new life in the modern age with leaders in fields as wide and far-reaching as world politics, human psychology, and corporate strategy finding valuable insight in its timeworn words.

Aidan Gillen - who has learned a thing or two about strategy through his roles as skilled manipulator Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish (Game of Thrones) and ambitious politician Tommy Carcetti (The Wire) - brilliantly performs this ancient classic. His experience in portraying insightful and, at times, cunning characters makes him a natural fit for this ancient collection of battlefield epigrams whose influence has grown tremendously in the modern world.

Public Domain (P)2015 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about The Art of War

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The narrator had a train to catch.

Sun Tzu speaks with great insight, wisdom and clarity, but the Aidan Gillen spoke too quickly and with no emphasis. He should have paid attention to Sun Tzu's warning not always do the same thing.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Inspiring

I really enjoyed this. Excellent book and Aiden Gillen an inspired choice as narrator. Full marks all round

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

This books is to be read not listened to

This is the kind of book that has to be read instead of listened to so that its meaning can be absorbed and the wording revisited and considered.

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23 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very Informative and Excellent Performance

Didn't recognise the actor's name but when I recognised him I thought it was an excellent choice. He has a very dry and engaging voice.

It was quite informative and I like all the definitions e.g. intersecting ground. I think I'll have to listen to this again so that all the points sink in.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Master of War

Would you consider the audio edition of The Art of War to be better than the print version?

I've never read the print version but have always wanted to. I'd still like a copy so I could go back and study certain tactics, but I understood everything in the audio version.

What other book might you compare The Art of War to, and why?

Bushido? Only because of the historic aspect and the fact that it teaches you a way of life & war.

What about Aidan Gillen’s performance did you like?

I couldn't think of anyone better to narrate than Aidan Gillen. As soon as I saw that he was the narrated I instantly bought it. He adds a level of cunning and guile that is required in a tactician and no other narrated could have pulled off.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

This isn't the sort of book you could turn into a film - a documentary though. Perhaps "War is barbaric, War is an art"?

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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excellent

something I've intended to read for a while, and Aidan Gillen gives an excellent delivery. I'm looking forward to listening to this one again already. The insight into the nuances of war, and the intricacies of character that allow success or failure, is one that can be appropriated to many aspects of life.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Timeless Reading at its best

Aiden Gillen does a great job of narrating this classic. Many are the transferable tactics, strategies and mindset towards any business, political or economic venture worth pursuing. Definitely worth investing in!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

short, strategy oriented old guide. it's ok.

the narrator its ok and the book is ok, it's about strategy millenniums ago so, not that useful. It has strong messages with diverse meanings and I found that I could put some of the advice in my personal life. but as said, short and old.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Okay

I read this book a couple of decades ago for university and thought to revisit it. Whilst insightful for the time it is obsolete now.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing

Accurate and useful. I suppressed so many rebellions with this book. Here is some extra words to be able to submit it.

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2 people found this helpful