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The Art of War Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Aidan Gillen (Narrator), Sun Tzu (Author), Audible Studios (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 10,305 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Eastern Philosophy
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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.

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  1. Listening Length
    1 hour and 7 minutes
  2. Author
    Sun Tzu
  3. Narrator
    Aidan Gillen
  4. Audible release date
    March 31, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B00URW47O6
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 1 hour and 7 minutes
Author Sun Tzu
Narrator Aidan Gillen
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 31, 2015
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00URW47O6
Best Sellers Rank #1,771 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Eastern Philosophy (Audible Books & Originals)
#26 in Eastern Philosophy (Books)
#32 in Engineering (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
10,305 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They appreciate its timeless warfare strategy guide that explains combat experiences and strategies from a prehistoric perspective. The book is described as attractive, with a clear style and turn of phrase. However, some customers found the commentary too fiction-like and misleading. Opinions differ on the translation quality, with some finding it clear and concise, while others felt it was not an easy read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ReadabilityInformation qualityArt of warStyleTranslationValue for moneyFormattingCommentary quality
332 customers mention "Readability"305 positive27 negative

Customers find the book easy to read. They say it's an important read for those looking to grasp this reality. It's a must-read for students of history, military, and business people. The content is profound and insightful, but some feel the setup seems unnecessary.

"...listened to this several times and still learn and just plain enjoy the reading...." Read more

"...This is a worthwhile read for ANYONE--both from an advice and tactics point of view, AND for the clarity of style, turn of phrase, and excellent use..." Read more

"...Lastly, while the content itself is profound and insightful, it may not appeal to all readers outside of military or strategic studies...." Read more

"...useful in getting a better understanding of strategy games and how to play to win...." Read more

230 customers mention "Information quality"208 positive22 negative

Customers find the book informative and useful. They say it explains combat experiences and strategies from a prehistoric perspective. The book is a concise treatise packed with wisdom. Readers say the lessons can be applied to other circumstances, like business and engineering. The lessons are drawn from real-life experience and modernly applicable in the art of strategic thinking.

"...author wrote about strategies in war, but most of the advice can apply nicely to business, so it'll always have certain value." Read more

"...This is a small audio book but very enjoyable and still instructional...." Read more

"...This interpretation of perhaps the most timeless warfare strategy guide hits the nail on the head...." Read more

"...about war--about forming and implementing strategies, and drawn from real life experience, Sun Tzu's lessons can be applied effectively in any life..." Read more

62 customers mention "Art of war"53 positive9 negative

Customers find the book useful for learning about war and its tactics. They say it provides a good overview of military tactics, logic, and planning and conducting military operations. The book is considered a classic and relevant for modern warfare.

"...attempt to formulate a rational basis for the planning and conduct of military operations...." Read more

"It's the art of war, if you need a review before buying this book then you probably shouldn't be buying the book." Read more

"The reason this book is a timeless classic is because it analyzes all aspects of war from the standpoint of human nature, and makes a solid case..." Read more

"...business affairs, human psychology, management, ancient history, military sciences, politics, anatomy of organizations in conflicts, and the likes...." Read more

19 customers mention "Style"19 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style. They find it clear and concise, with a modern layout. The content is thought-provoking and eye-opening. Readers describe the writing as typical Chinese style, short, and succinct.

"...--both from an advice and tactics point of view, AND for the clarity of style, turn of phrase, and excellent use of metaphor...." Read more

"Very nice and great for desktop but i didnt realize it was a tiny version...." Read more

"...It was very eye opening" Read more

"...It was short, sweet, and didn't waste any time getting right to the point." Read more

108 customers mention "Translation"57 positive51 negative

Customers have different views on the translation. Some find it clear and easy to understand, similar to today's Living Bible. The reader has a good voice and doesn't interject. However, others found it difficult to understand and could not relate to the content.

"...I really like this Audio version. The reader has a good voice, easy to understand and doesn't interject his personal emotional feeling during the..." Read more

"...There were instances where the text appeared disjointed or difficult to navigate, especially when referring back to specific chapters or sections...." Read more

"...The solution is straight forward enough since the translation is good, all of the text is there and it is easy enough to skim through Mr. Cleary's..." Read more

"...It's quoted as being a wise book, but it's just too cumbersome for me." Read more

47 customers mention "Value for money"31 positive16 negative

Customers have different views on the book's value for money. Some find it good quality for the price and worth buying, especially as it's free. Others feel it's cheap for a reason, not the complete book, or overpriced for its size.

"As describe and worth the buy!" Read more

"Overall quality is OK (great for the price... which is free!). Reads good, nothing fancy...." Read more

"...Love it, keeping and reading it but a little pricey for th3 size as i get full size volumes for my collection all the time for this price." Read more

"...Grabbed this translation because it was free...." Read more

20 customers mention "Formatting"7 positive13 negative

Customers have different views on the formatting of the book. Some find it well-written and easy to read, with good translations and historical background. Others report issues with typos, poor editing, and formatting problems.

"I'll start off by saying that this Kindle version has quite a few typos, which is the only reason I granted it 4 stars...." Read more

"...is straight forward enough since the translation is good, all of the text is there and it is easy enough to skim through Mr. Cleary's..." Read more

"Great book, however the formatting of this version is terrible. The first 300 pages are unorganized and poorly written analyses of the art of War...." Read more

"...I have no knowledge of how good the translation is, the formatting was tolerable and there were likely some typos...." Read more

28 customers mention "Commentary quality"8 positive20 negative

Customers find the commentary in the book misleading and inaccurate. They mention it contains fiction phrases that don't apply to real situations, typos, and mistranslations. The commentary is criticized for being too short and misleading, with inaccurate descriptions and incorrect quotes from Sun Tzu. Some readers feel the publication lacks clarity and should be read in its entirety.

"...would come with a strong warning about the setup and the seemingly constant commentary, which distracted me from really enjoying his teachings." Read more

"...as the product itself (the audio book) is great, but the actual content is retarded. Sun Tzu spouts off a bunch of useless crap like: "..." Read more

"...an advice and tactics point of view, AND for the clarity of style, turn of phrase, and excellent use of metaphor...." Read more

"*THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL BOOK* I rated this five stars to help make others aware of a glaring issue with this product and to help project the voice..." Read more

Good book overall
5 out of 5 stars
Good book overall
I dunno man it's a book what do you want me to say?
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Sofia Petrovna
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I like this book because of its historical value. The author wrote about strategies in war, but most of the advice can apply nicely to business, so it'll always have certain value.
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  • Just A Buyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of War (Christian Audio)
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This Audio Book has no commentary and is the writings of The Art of War by Sun Tzu only. I have The Art of War in written form with and without Commentary and frankly like the version without commentary better. I really like this Audio version. The reader has a good voice, easy to understand and doesn't interject his personal emotional feeling during the reading. It is read in narrative form without the reading of Chapter number or or number of the paragraphs. For example Attack by Fire or The Use of Spies, followed by Sun Tzu says, then the subject under that heading. This is actually a plus for me since it's very easy to follow the logic under each area of instruction, making a very smooth easy to follow narrative. A person can follow along with a written copy if they wish, but I found myself laying the book down, kicking back, and simply listening to the smooth logical, easy to follow reading. This is a small audio book but very enjoyable and still instructional. I have listened to this several times and still learn and just plain enjoy the reading. At 69 years old that sometimes isn't easy with some Audio Books I have. I do recommend this one. You can download this into Media Player and make a Playlist, the chapter headings are shown, you can't bookmark if you stop but I simply write down the chapter I stopped in and the verse on a slip of paper in my written copy which allows me to come back later and pick up where I left off in the Audio Book. There may be an easier way but I don't know it. Hope this helps someone.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • Sparky
    4.0 out of 5 stars solid representation
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    If you know, you know. This interpretation of perhaps the most timeless warfare strategy guide hits the nail on the head. Though, one should continue research beyond this book in order to fortify the simple concepts translated within this book.
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  • Nancy Morse
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of War. James Clavell Edition
    Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought both books....the one here mentioned and the one I previously reviewed as his.

    It does not matter as both are the same type of writing...that of Sun Tzu....and extremely important for us Westerners to know about.

    To the Asian mind bent on war and winning: a promise means nothing. Winning is everything and the devious Asian mind has patience, has zeal, has a whole different set of values from that of the Westerner with our sense of "honor." If we have given our word, a promise to what has been agreed, we feel "honorbound" to follow through on it.

    The Asian mind would not, for example, take time off in World War II for Christmas as a time not to fight. The Asian mind would not comprehend this.

    If the goal is to win, ruthlessness is considered honorable. Winning is what it is all about and the Japanese at the end of World War II are a good example. Having "lost face" at that time, they turned to business, entrepreneur-ship, if you wish to call it something....and determine to "win the war of business."

    They succeeded immeasurably. They started with textiles as the least costly materials (cotton) and cheap labor. Once they acquired the capital, they put their money into developing transistors....remember the first transistor radios?
    Eventually even one with the name General Electric (if you looked inside, it said "Made in Japan."

    Next they used the capital gained from these world-wide sales to develop television sets.

    Next they went into the computer business.

    Somewhere in this mix they developed cars totally superior to our American planned-to-rust-out cars and no longer did our cars not start or fall apart in a short time. We have only our American businessmen to thank for their poor quality and cutting corners in quality.

    The Art of War.......an invaluable read....by everyone. Now.

    Nancy Morse
    30 people found this helpful
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  • Chrystalia99
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just The Art Of War--The Art Of LIFE.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I have managed to wear out several printed copies of Sun Tzu over the years. While the book IS about war--about forming and implementing strategies, and drawn from real life experience, Sun Tzu's lessons can be applied effectively in any life situation involving 2 or more people--the more adversarial, the better LOL. Sun Tzu has stood by me through thick and thin--his sage advice has made a big difference in my personal approach to business deals, handling employees, dealing with various professionals from a subservient position--even dealing with pushy doctors and controlling ex spouses.

    Sun Tzu is about LIFE. Because like it or not, life isn't fair, it isn't always fun, and some times--you need to be able to be assertive without being aggressive, and you have to be willing to be adversarial to get what you need. This is a worthwhile read for ANYONE--both from an advice and tactics point of view, AND for the clarity of style, turn of phrase, and excellent use of metaphor. I have yet to run into a BAD translation of Tzu, and this one was no exception.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Aline Carneiro dos Santos Costa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Boa tradução
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Boa versão, diagramação e tradução.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars I read it twice
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is an amazing masterpiece and can be used in our everyday life, I listen the audiobook first and now I finished of read it, Sun Tzu was a wise man
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into ancient Chinese warfare and wisdom that is still revenant today
    Reviewed in Canada on May 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War is a very interesting read. On the one hand it can be read simply as a historical document that tells of warfare in the Iron Age. On the other hand, while the technology of warfare has changed immensely, the principles Sun Tau writes of are still true today. For he did not write to encourage rulers to always seek war, but known when not to fight as well. I quote "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare." He wrote of one who knew warfare and was ready to fight but knew all too well that war could mean the end of his country, if it was the wrong choice to start a war. He knew the horrors of war and did not wish people to blind seek war, but weigh the pros and cons knowing the high cost of losing a war would like mean one's life, but still being ready if the need was there to fight. I recommend this book for people interested in history or philosophy.
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  • Moe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t let the title mislead you
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is an amazing book to read
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  • Bedanta Bora
    5.0 out of 5 stars Usage
    Reviewed in India on December 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very good n practical
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