The Art of War by Sun Tzu (Complete Audiobook, Unabridged)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
  • A recitation of the influential work attributed to ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu.
    The Art of War is one of the most famous works of military philosophy in the world, being required reading on the curricula of military academies across East Asia for millennia, as well as more modern usage in the West.
    The principles enshrined in this work are relevant for any military in any time period, which is why it remains such an important work in the modern era.
    Source: classics.mit.ed...
    Follow Ancient Recitations for extra content on Facebook:
    / ancientrecitations

КОМЕНТАРІ • 742

  • @ja52ng74
    @ja52ng74 9 років тому +783

    0:02 1) Laying Plans
    4:23 2) Waging War
    8:11 3) Attack by Stratagem
    12:32 4) Tactical Dispositions
    15:50 5) Energy
    20:04 6) Weak Points and Strong
    26:17 7) Manoeuvring
    31:50 8) Variation in Tactics
    34:38 9) The Army on the March
    42:06 10) Terrain
    48:13 11) The Nine Situations
    59:45 12) Attack by Fire
    1:02:57 13) The Use of Spies
    You're welcome

    • @LAMAKMUSIC
      @LAMAKMUSIC 6 років тому +22

      Not all heros wear capes

    • @simoneriksson8329
      @simoneriksson8329 6 років тому +2

      Thank you!

    • @kylejohnson1185
      @kylejohnson1185 6 років тому +1

      Thanks

    • @uselessshoe9269
      @uselessshoe9269 6 років тому +1

      ja52ng74 ty fren

    • @jmzsil
      @jmzsil 6 років тому +2

      ja52ng74 - James thank you seriously. I’m still going to read this. I have a translation (why is there books from 1972-2016/7 and about ten different authors/translators?)

  • @YourFavoriteBotGarethThompson
    @YourFavoriteBotGarethThompson 4 роки тому +63

    "If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight." Sun Tzu said that

    • @GattToDaChoppa
      @GattToDaChoppa 2 роки тому +3

      and i think he knows a little more about fighting than you do pal because he invented it!

    • @GattToDaChoppa
      @GattToDaChoppa 2 роки тому +1

      @@Guy-bm5wh its a tf2 joke

    • @CastleHassall
      @CastleHassall Рік тому +4

      he said to win without fighting is best

  • @ja52ng74
    @ja52ng74 7 років тому +67

    > When your recording of The Art of War was so good that Audible thought it was their own and false copyright strikes your channel

  • @stevie_ily
    @stevie_ily 9 років тому +187

    I'm not going to lie, I did everything this book told me to in mount and blade, and I was unstoppable

    • @gabo1841997
      @gabo1841997 5 років тому +10

      I did the same in Rome 2 Total War.

    • @jonhurt6109
      @jonhurt6109 5 років тому

      Now stainless steel m2total war!

    • @curiosity3365
      @curiosity3365 5 років тому +3

      @Derrick Flyr
      Your Issues started when you initiated the ignition.

    • @rustykoenig3566
      @rustykoenig3566 5 років тому +6

      Because these ANCIENT words written to teach the rules and commandments to wage war....... it was valid in those ancient around 500 BC when it was written and JUST AS VALID today in the most modern war. Some big business enterprises make this required reading for the group of people who manage them because the strategies are even valid on the battlefield of commerce.
      His mind was fucking genious and took a "WAY BEFORE HIS TIME" concept and made it part of his time.
      How to make a much smaller force fight as if they were many times bigger and win vs a much larger army? Put ur scared men who WILL panic and run in the face of the larger force with a natural "wall" at their back...... a mountain or the coastline..... any wall and your squad that faces a platoon now only has ONE way to go...... through the enemy. It killed 2 birds with 1 stone...... keeps his army from letting fear overcome them them and making them flee...... they fight harder to win because they cannot run can defeat the larger army at a MUCH higher % win rate.
      What general would put his resources that are outnumbered 50 to 1 in a corner on PURPOSE..... that is like saying HERE YOU GO, Let me help you kill a good chunk of my army.......
      A lot would fight with hit and run strategy picking them off slowly....... Sun Tzu did the complete OPOSITE of what most "sane" commanders would do. ..... he not only used his vast understanding of literal strategies of moving the chess pieces around the board but when needed disregarded the "game" and no longer moved pieces but used the troops psychology and the pretty much "instinct" way human briains think and that was his weapon.
      A LOT of people can go through the whole book and only start to grasp the "obvious" strategies that are pretty much common sense today but much of the strategies leaves most people saying WTF? what the fuck does that mean......
      West Point should only have THIS textbook to teach the "officers" how to lead. You can march an army to death till they can march in their sleep..... you can put the fear in them to where they pray to god to save them from YOU...... you can brainwash them to where they will march off the edge of a cliff like lemmings if you wished it and do it WITHOUT QUESTION!.....
      It all means NOTHING if you do not know where to march them, where to order them to fight..... Burn every battlefield strategy textbooks and issue only "Art of War".
      Any commander who deploys these strategies is the one who will write the next version of history books. GENIOUS!

    • @unpluggedbrains940
      @unpluggedbrains940 4 роки тому +1

      The ultimate brainwashing machine. WAR!!!

  • @mabellevonk8771
    @mabellevonk8771 9 років тому +104

    Important work in the modern era.
    "All warfare is based on deception." Sun Tzu, The Art of War

    • @howardlitson9796
      @howardlitson9796 4 роки тому +5

      Similar Western Europe and Roman & Greece empire to the art of war and tactics & stratagems books should be more studying and more reading. Don't always depend on brave. Brave represent ambition, not wisdom. Tactics and stratagems represent wisdom.

  • @MrJobocan
    @MrJobocan 9 років тому +529

    I imagine Sargon reads this to his son when he puts him to bed.
    He shall be a fine warrior!

    • @TheNinjasniper12
      @TheNinjasniper12 9 років тому +16

      I wish someone read this to me when I was little

    • @Derekfultonearth
      @Derekfultonearth 8 років тому +11

      +keith mooney read it to your children

    • @TheNinjasniper12
      @TheNinjasniper12 8 років тому +6

      +Derek fulton if I decide to have kids I certainly will

    • @based_prophet
      @based_prophet 6 років тому +2

      Sargon you sexy bardard

    • @rextruegood6168
      @rextruegood6168 6 років тому +2

      MrJobocan he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.

  • @christophermurray9118
    @christophermurray9118 9 років тому +58

    read it 8 times this year. Internalizing is mandatory for perfect victory

    • @beridledodopidop4822
      @beridledodopidop4822 6 років тому +1

      its funny cause its true

    • @daviddawson1718
      @daviddawson1718 4 роки тому

      I read this one, Civil Disobedience, and Self Reliance every year

    • @meacomefeyou
      @meacomefeyou 4 роки тому

      @@beridledodopidop4822 Um, that's my line you misused and there is nothing funny here nor above.

    • @abaddonnoddaba9153
      @abaddonnoddaba9153 4 роки тому +2

      ​@@meacomefeyou HAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAAHHAHAAAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAAHHAHAAAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAAHHAHAAAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAAHHAHAAAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAAHHAHAAAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAAHHAHAAAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  • @villepeltoniemi5004
    @villepeltoniemi5004 8 років тому +11

    I've listened / read this book so many times, I know it by heart and hearing sargon narrate it gave me chills and a huge smile on my face from sheer surprise! Thank you so much for doing this.

  • @anonamously5858
    @anonamously5858 9 років тому +6

    I've read this dozens of times throughout my life and still read it or in this case, listen to it, whenever I come across it. Still manage to learn something new every time. It would be super cool if historians could place him time wise and prove he was real.

  • @pungopete468
    @pungopete468 8 років тому +71

    "There are commands of the Sovereign which must not be obeyed."
    Understood 2,500 years ago, but lost to us today...
    Onward - to the cliff Lemmings!

    • @thedarkmaster4747
      @thedarkmaster4747 7 років тому +1

      HAHAHAHA!!! LOL!!! so true.

    • @jamestribbett952
      @jamestribbett952 5 років тому +2

      We haven't won a War since WWll!

    • @FraldinhoBJJ
      @FraldinhoBJJ 5 років тому +1

      Peter Smith orange man bad !

    • @DaddyAZTL
      @DaddyAZTL 4 роки тому +1

      @@FraldinhoBJJ orange man good orange man bad both are npcs. doesn't matter what side your on.

    • @assyrianbetnahrian9574
      @assyrianbetnahrian9574 4 роки тому +1

      @@jamestribbett952 dont worry you didn't win that war anyway

  • @WuTugu999
    @WuTugu999 9 років тому +52

    The Art of War read to me by one of my favorite youtubers? YES PLEASE!!!!!!

  • @acajudi100
    @acajudi100 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you.
    Trust God folks..
    Please keep audio and written journals, and help non beggars..
    Always let go and let Go.
    Treat everyone, how you want to be treated.
    Hands are for helping and not hurting.

  • @kainebishop3970
    @kainebishop3970 9 років тому +46

    This is the most useful book I have ever read.

    • @chankljp
      @chankljp 9 років тому +1

      Kaine Bishop I totally agree. I have yet to find a situation in my life that I couldn't get good advice by referring to Sun Tzu. Especially his advice on war being a means to an end, instead of an end unto itself. And that you must never loss sight of your priorities.

    • @SoWe1
      @SoWe1 9 років тому +3

      chankljp Kaine Bishop I really, really don't understand you two, and everyone else who says this book is so good. It's just trivial shit, at times oddly specific (20 times as good!) without reason (and indeed being false as in the 20 times example) and at other times just ... dull. Yeah sure having the hill is good -WHAT? You don't say! It is good? I would have never thought of that m(
      what did you take from the book that wasn't obvious before?

    • @TheToffeeLlama
      @TheToffeeLlama 9 років тому +1

      SoWeMeetAgain Bare in mind that this was written before total war games were made when Generals literally thought that firing uphill in battle was advantageous. I think its name was the battle of Freedericksburg? But anyway in daily use I suppose that you are meant to shape it into your life e.g. Having helpful friends or avoiding getting into winnable fights ect.

    • @chankljp
      @chankljp 9 років тому +8

      SoWeMeetAgain Ever heard of the saying 'common sense is not commonly found' (or something like that)? The advice in this book are indeed very basic and simply, yet no one seems to ever follow them (More then 2000 years since the part about how no country ever benefited from prolong warfare, the entire 'broken glass fallacy' is still taken seriously within economics).
      While parts of it are indeed outdated, there are lots of good advice there that are really useful in all kinds of situations in everyday life, distilled into simple, easy to remember, and nice sounding quotes that you can refer to even when you are hotheaded and can't really do a rational analysis.
      As for the part about it being boring.... I honestly can't argue with that. But remember that this was written as a top secret military document meant for training officers, not for popular consumption.
      And I guess that me being Chinese, I have a soft spot for Sun Tzu, since he has since entered popular consciousness and affected the culture in a way that is a key part of our identify.

    • @krixpop
      @krixpop 9 років тому +1

      Kaine Bishop and yet Europe build an world colonial Empires following "Vom Kriege" written by von Clausewitz (with little or no reference to Sun Tzu)
      For instance (opposed to Sun Tzu) von Clausewitz states : "It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past." and
      "No campaign plan survives first contact with the enemy"
      Even Mao Zedong (yes ....him) followed primarily (solely) von Clausewitz approach toward war leading to his success ...
      Clausewitz advocates the frontal and bold destruction of the strongest enemy position in full view and in a "shock and awe" manner ...
      Following his teachings armies outnumbered greatly can win decisively in the open field ; which is a "total victory" (not to be confused with "total war" ideas) taking away the future excuses of the defeated enemy such as "yes we lost because trickery... , etc"
      The victory must be military and (!) political at the same time , if not problems will ensue... because after all "war is the continuation of politics by other means" ;
      ps: all modern armies (even Chinese) function according von Clausewitz: fog of war ; culminating point of the offensive ; conversely, the very real effects of a superiority in numbers and "mass" ; etc.
      Sun Tzu is a great read indeed but if you want to win, then read von Clausewitz ...

  • @PNWJEEPER01
    @PNWJEEPER01 5 років тому +24

    Cliff Notes version: Sun Tzu was a man who, when asked for advice, displayed an amazing talent for stating the obvious at great length. Luckily for him, very few people could actually read at the time and the Emperor couldn't afford lose face by going around telling people that he'd paid good coin for an entire book of advice that says things which are on the level of, "When outside during a rain shower, the person who goes inside or uses an umbrella will stay dry; the person who does neither of these things, will get wet."

    • @stayniftyGuyFaceMannPersonDude
      @stayniftyGuyFaceMannPersonDude 2 роки тому +6

      You'd be surprised how often painfully obvious and simple solutions are the keys to success ... and ppl don't often see the obvious and delude themselves with needless complexities.

    • @shibe5198
      @shibe5198 Рік тому +7

      Idk about you, but having a handbook that lays out the basics of war sounds pretty handy to me.

    • @CastleHassallTV
      @CastleHassallTV Рік тому +5

      It seems obvious to the guy who read it, but i bet the critic could not write such a clear explanation of strategy if asked to and without any texts to read that were written by others.. It's like indoor plumbing seems obvious now we have it, or electric circuits etc, batteries.. There's gonna be some critic saying "that was obvious" but they never came up with any profound innovations themselves or thought of it til they read it or saw it
      To paraphrase..The merit belongs not to the critic who didn't think of anything by themselves but stood on the shouldr of giants saying "this view is obvious"

    • @fighterscorner6787
      @fighterscorner6787 10 місяців тому +2

      It is still used in armies across the world to this day

    • @AmyWaits-dx9ec
      @AmyWaits-dx9ec 10 місяців тому

      HA ha!

  • @winstonvontoast6163
    @winstonvontoast6163 8 років тому +2

    You can really tell how well thought out Sun Tzu's ideas are and why they became revolutionary in warfare. Great reading, Mr. Sargon.

  • @Uriel-Septim.
    @Uriel-Septim. 3 роки тому +15

    "If you do not know what you`re doing, neither does your enemy" --Joe Tzu.

  • @katiesoze
    @katiesoze 8 років тому +14

    I enjoyed this very much thankyou. It's nice to listen to a free audio book where the reader actually speaks passionately and understands what the book is saying.

  • @Sizifus
    @Sizifus 9 років тому +3

    What a great piece of literature. This ain't just a philosophy of war, but also a philosophy of life, as well.

  • @lysytoszef
    @lysytoszef 9 років тому +17

    Thank you Sargon! I really appreciate you doing this text.
    It is honestly one of my favorite "voices from the past" - it is really shocking how... accurate and modern it sounds, after all those years. Change "crossbows" to "guns" and "fire" to "strategic weapons", and Sun Tzu could be be talking to us modern people ;)

    • @midwestmage7173
      @midwestmage7173 9 років тому

      zenek bembenek When I first read this I couldn't believe it was from so far ago. My favorite part is when he seems to have a sort of understanding about psychology, Just from watching how the enemy troops move to things like water after marching. That was shocking to me. Troop movements and formations is one thing. But for a general from way back then to See that in some thing so simple, brilliant.

    • @GEhotpants101
      @GEhotpants101 9 років тому +1

      Midwest Mage The ancient Chinese were pretty good at observing these kinds of things. They were prosperous enough to have the time to sit around and consider these kinds of subtle things.

    • @midwestmage7173
      @midwestmage7173 9 років тому

      GEhotpants101 True they were really advanced for the times. But I think he came up with this stuff from experience. 3 kingdoms, lotta fighting going on. I'm in the camp for the older Tzu being the author, not the later one. If I didnt get those two switched around lol. Honestly there are just things in the book that I think would have to come from experience, not having tea and pondering. You wouldn't get that insight.

    • @lysytoszef
      @lysytoszef 7 років тому

      True. But was also meant to primarly apply to war, seeing how it is a war-waging manual. Its universal enough to be used in other settings, part of what makes it so timeless, but only if you pick and choose what you need.

  • @doctoroesperanto3663
    @doctoroesperanto3663 8 років тому +7

    One of my favourite audiobook channels, love the handbook by the stoicist the most!

  • @supporteedcoffee
    @supporteedcoffee 8 років тому +297

    Oh shit it's Sargon!

  • @Battlemage15
    @Battlemage15 9 років тому +6

    I listened to this while playing Europa Universalis 4 rather than the music. Excellent experience. Thank you for doing this recitation.

    • @jimmyyang5193
      @jimmyyang5193 9 років тому

      Battlemage15 You do have to admit Paradox's soundtracks are quite excellent.

    • @Battlemage15
      @Battlemage15 9 років тому

      Jimmy Yang Oh, they are. It was just a nice change of pace to have The Art of War in the background while in conquered.

  • @writtenworlds
    @writtenworlds 9 років тому +47

    Ancient Recitations Sargon, you are getting better and better at this. Very, very enjoyable.

    • @AncientRecitations
      @AncientRecitations  9 років тому +16

      Written Word Thanks man, I have actually been working very hard doing it!

    • @LunatiqHigh
      @LunatiqHigh 9 років тому +2

      +Ancient Recitations It's so weird that I'm subbed to your (main?) channel and just did a random search for this book and found this video and recognized your voiced instantly. I had to turn my monitor back on and scroll through comments to find out if you were who I thought you were.

    • @mhikl4484
      @mhikl4484 8 років тому +2

      +Ancient Recitations
      If this is actually you reading, AR, you have done a commendable job. I cannot listen to liver box? renditions. They hurt my liver.
      I'd like to submit a LVox rendition of this using a speech impediment, just to see if it gets accepted, and published! Every now and then I'd blow my nose.
      Namaste and care,
      mhikl

  • @olekrarup9570
    @olekrarup9570 9 років тому +48

    "'If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight!' Sun Tzu said that and I'd say he knows a little more about it than you do, pal, because he invented it; and then he perfected it, så that no living man could best him in the ring of honor. Then he used his fight money to buy two of every animal on earth. Then he herded them unto a boat and then he beat the crap out of every single one of them. And henceforth whenever two or more animals are together in one place it's called a Tzu; unless it's a farm!"

  • @PantsofVance
    @PantsofVance 8 років тому +255

    WTF Sargon out of nowhere.

  • @DoctorDejay
    @DoctorDejay 4 роки тому +1

    Replace the word „Army“ with the group/family/collective and the word „General“ with the Individual....instant life lessons.
    No wonder the Book still to this day still holds up on many levels.

  • @prudentparatrooper385
    @prudentparatrooper385 9 років тому +53

    I would like to put in a formal request for "Green Eggs and Ham".

  • @MadBrainBox
    @MadBrainBox 9 років тому +133

    I like this because it is a really humane text."It is better to capture a settlement instead of destroying it.." and so on.
    Will you do Niccolo Machiavelli's The Art of War or The Book Of 5 Rings
    by Miyamoto Musashi?

    • @AncientRecitations
      @AncientRecitations  9 років тому +34

      MadBrainBox I shall indeed, and you're right, there is a stark contrast between this and the Prince, for example.

    • @MadBrainBox
      @MadBrainBox 9 років тому +2

      Ancient Recitations Awesome.Looking forward to that.

    • @constanza86
      @constanza86 9 років тому +10

      Ancient Recitations The difference is "Art of War" is about achieving goal of winning war, so that state will benefit from conquest, whereas "Prince" is about maintaining rule over other people. In both cases people are tools to achive goals. Thou Machiavelli is more direct.

    • @MadBrainBox
      @MadBrainBox 9 років тому

      terran456cghost I was talking about Sun Tzu here.I still need to read Machiavelli.It's on my to do list.

    • @OutlawOtaku
      @OutlawOtaku 9 років тому +3

      MadBrainBox Five Rings would be dope, dude. I'm seconding this.

  • @snek3870
    @snek3870 3 роки тому +1

    I love listening to this every night before bed. Every time I do, before I go to bed, my nerd-stabbing ability score increases by one!

  • @Dave-ks9fi
    @Dave-ks9fi 9 років тому +3

    Dam he was smart, I've been meaning to read this for years. Thank you for making it so accessible with your voice.
    Really put me in the mood to start another total was campaign.

  • @EvilDeathNightmare
    @EvilDeathNightmare 9 років тому +13

    Oh man I love this book, I feel like I've retained more information when having it read to me.

  • @markganus1085
    @markganus1085 8 років тому +2

    for some untangible reason I've found this right enrapturing. Can't seem to stop listening to this without reminding myself of past life events where said lessons could have been applied.

  • @illyanayurievnashcherbina6530
    @illyanayurievnashcherbina6530 9 років тому +1

    Haven't listened to this yet but I plan on doing so later. I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that you did this. It's very difficult for me to find a physical copy of The Art of War so it's nice to finally hear it.

    • @charliee.7833
      @charliee.7833 9 років тому

      Tyler Caskey They're very common on amazon, or you coulds use abebooks.com

  • @shukriabshir1033
    @shukriabshir1033 5 років тому +1

    "When circumstances are favorable one should modify ones plans". "ALL WARFARE IS BASED ON DECEPTION". SMART MAN.

  • @willmartin4474
    @willmartin4474 5 років тому +2

    Carl your absolutely brilliant, never stopped loving ya. A real man whom tells the truth with such
    Eloquence x

  • @jakel4316
    @jakel4316 8 років тому +11

    Holy shit! I never expected Sargon as the narrator.

  • @jonandivyjones
    @jonandivyjones 5 років тому +10

    It’s funny how this book is somehow becoming more popular in this outrageous outrage culture.

  • @DarkCT
    @DarkCT 9 років тому

    This book. it was my favorite book growing up. it still is now. id often read it back over. saving this for the perfect time to have a listen.

  • @dannymckenzie8329
    @dannymckenzie8329 4 роки тому +5

    The art of war teaches the stratagem of the general, the book of 5 rings teaches the strategem of the warrior.

  • @robinshaw4748
    @robinshaw4748 9 років тому +314

    Now I can invade Mongolia! Thanks, Sargon.

    • @wakaka2waka
      @wakaka2waka 9 років тому +5

      +Robin Shaw No, the biggest criticism from contemporary and later chinese military authors are that the Art of War is terrible at dealing with Nomadic Empires due to its fundamental differences. Nomadic Empires operate in different ways and can not be dealt in the same way as other sedentary empires. If you try to fight them as you would fight Rome or Carthage, you will fail and might not recover.
      This blog has a few good posts about the military tradition of China. English translations of their materials are urgingly lacking. scholars-stage.blogspot.ca/search?q=war+china

    • @wakaka2waka
      @wakaka2waka 8 років тому +2

      +jg48481 And the conceptual approaches to warfare did not apply to Nomadic peoples because of a completely different reality when fighting with Nomadic Empires. He advocated political and conceptual approaches that did not apply when fighting with nomads especially in regards to losses and victory as well as the long-term approach in regards to the diplomacy and wars between nations.
      Non-sinologists can not understand this extremely different nature between a sedentary and nomadic interstate conflict. They are completely different beasts that require completely different concepts. It is not a problem of stratagem, but of a difference in the general approach in interstate conflict.

    • @wakaka2waka
      @wakaka2waka 8 років тому +2

      +jaidogu
      "Unbeknownst to them, them Romans often subjugated nomadic people's using many principles derived from sun tzu. "
      Completely false. The Romans never subjugated any nomadic peoples. They never subjugated people like the Xiongnu.
      The major difference between interstate conflict between sedentary peoples and nomadic peoples is the simple fact that the nomadic peoples do not require a population center, nor do they need to hold cities. Therefore, the nature of your decisions regarding your critical decisions when you are close to a victory is completely different. A) Decide to completely encircle the enemy soldiers during a near victory or NOT.
      Sun Tzu advocates not to do this. This was heavily criticized the general Wei Qing when he campaigned against the Xiong Nu Empire. This is because unlike soldiers of sedentary nations, nomadic armies can easily re-build, strike back and attack your supply line.
      Another factor is his diplomacy stance, which works in the context of the Warring States period - but would fail against nomadic Empires. You can not play a game of resource (not military) attrition with the Nomadic Empires, therefore his approach to dealing with another state was heavily criticized again by generals who campaigned against nomads.
      "Nomadic stucture is basic, not complex at all."
      Another false statement which shows the tremendous ignorance of non-sinologist or central-asian specialists in the degree of development of socities and military structure of the Far eastern nomadic empires. The military organization and rank division so-praised as invented by Ghenghis Khan was already existent during the Xiongnu era.

    • @wakaka2waka
      @wakaka2waka 8 років тому +1

      +jaidogu Nomadic Empires operate on a radically different nature than sedentary ones. The reason why my comment about non-sinologists stand is because no other civilizational was under the threat and contact of the most powerful nomadic empires in the world as China did. China was at the doorstep of all the greatest Nomadic Empires that has ever walked this Earth, while the rest of the world dealt with the paler versions of it giving them a false understanding of "primitive, unorganized barbarians" similar to the Celts.
      It is a completely different scenario.

    • @vapidwords
      @vapidwords 8 років тому +5

      +Robin Shaw Sun Tzu's Art of War was compiled for a time in which there were many different Chinese feudal states under the Zhou Dynasty, prior to Qin Shi Huang's centralization and unification of China in 221BCE. These tactics are meant for warfare/battles between Chinese states, and not between Chinese and barbarian (i.e., Xiongnu/Mongol) states. Hence why a lot of the tactics in the compilation focus heavily on governance rather than pure "warfare". Zhou lords waged war against other Zhou lords in order to expand the size of their own feudal state under the Zhou Emperor. The compilation was developed with the idea that all of the belligerents in warfare were part of Zhou Chinese civilization, and not barbarians/non-Chinese belligerents.

  • @Nyndacricy
    @Nyndacricy 9 років тому +6

    I remember thinking, "Maybe, he'll even do Sun Tzu.".
    Awesome!

  • @M16a4sniper
    @M16a4sniper 7 років тому

    This is one of my favorite UA-cam channels. Sometimes it's great to just have a nice ancient recitation and not have to deal with all of the idiocy of today.

  • @summertimevideos8110
    @summertimevideos8110 3 роки тому +8

    "When a mosquito lands on your testicles will you truly understand the meaning of solving conflict without violence"
    -Sun Tzu, The Art of War

  • @truthvjmcdirtywork
    @truthvjmcdirtywork 5 років тому +15

    The Art of War by Sun Tzu entire audiobook in only 1 hour 7 minutes???

    • @SunTzuMedia
      @SunTzuMedia 3 роки тому +4

      I was too busy fighting wars to create an extra long audio book 😉

    • @turtleanton6539
      @turtleanton6539 3 роки тому

      @@SunTzuMedia I see

  • @MrSeekerOfPeace
    @MrSeekerOfPeace 9 років тому +20

    There is a great deal of military commanders throughout history that I consider to be thankful that they did not acquire this book.

    • @Elround4
      @Elround4 9 років тому +5

      MrSeekerOfPeace I concur. Though, on the other hand, I am glad it was used by one or more Ally generals during WWII.

    • @carloscordovajr
      @carloscordovajr 8 років тому +1

      +ilyriandevil they did, they lost millions. Most of the loss was from civilians that were murdered when the Japanese invaded

    • @carloscordovajr
      @carloscordovajr 8 років тому +1

      +carloscordovajr not most but a large amount

  • @GeneralHeavy
    @GeneralHeavy 4 роки тому +2

    "If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight! Even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding"

  • @ShotgunAFlyboy
    @ShotgunAFlyboy 7 років тому +1

    Thank you so much for reading this. I never would have gotten around to reading it if I hadn't been ref'd over here.

  • @SrslyAnnoyed
    @SrslyAnnoyed 8 років тому +10

    I could probably curl up under a mountain of blankets and listen to Sargon read me to sleep...and be happy about it.

  • @daniel06977
    @daniel06977 11 місяців тому

    I am currently listening to different narrations of this work in different languages. For one, to become so familiar with it as to know it by heart and for two, to learn and practice different languages. Since if I know this book completely, I can deduct the words in different languages and thus I practice them subconsciously while this audio is book plays in the background or while commuting.

  • @brianramirez8255
    @brianramirez8255 6 років тому +5

    Reminds me of the style used in Proverbs. Direct and effective.

  • @azazeldeath
    @azazeldeath 9 років тому +2

    Thank you so much for this one, I have tried a few versions of the Art of War but this is by far the best. Like all your work actually in all the channels. Keep up the great work.

  • @gamedtodeath8743
    @gamedtodeath8743 8 років тому

    # 2,136. Thank you for this excellent reading of the holy bible.

  • @confucius4874
    @confucius4874 2 роки тому

    Thanks for sharing the classics from Chinese history and culture!😍🥰🥰🥰

  • @TheCrazyFinn
    @TheCrazyFinn 9 років тому +2

    I'm glad you did this one. I've read this in Finnish about couple dozen times.

    • @CastleHassall
      @CastleHassall Рік тому +1

      Many start but not everyone Finnishes it!

  • @luukk2608
    @luukk2608 6 років тому +1

    You have a very good reading voice. Incredibly calming to listen to!

  • @bannock3111
    @bannock3111 3 роки тому

    I have terrible reading comprehension but I am a good listener, thanks for this.

  • @stankaus
    @stankaus 9 років тому +21

    Could you please do Meditations by Marcus Aurelius?

  • @thealwaysexistingexistence358
    @thealwaysexistingexistence358 4 роки тому +2

    NEW SUBSCRIBER!
    Your channel is absolutely inspirating.
    I love your contents.
    You are truly making the world a better place.

  • @anberlincaligrl
    @anberlincaligrl 7 років тому +1

    Ta for this upload, Carl. This translation is a bit better than the copy I have and hearing it in a voice I enjoy is lovely.

  • @cpthurme
    @cpthurme 8 років тому +8

    Some parts of this relate to classroom behavior management I think

  • @Feminismisfornobody
    @Feminismisfornobody 9 років тому +92

    I pretty much know it all anyway, from the quotes on the loading screens for rome total war :D

    • @TheToffeeLlama
      @TheToffeeLlama 9 років тому +8

      ***** the men are wavering..

    • @Feminismisfornobody
      @Feminismisfornobody 9 років тому +7

      ***** ''charging spear-men head on is a great way to kill of your cavalry'' shut the fuck up they can do this!

    • @Feminismisfornobody
      @Feminismisfornobody 9 років тому

      Battle adviser doesn't know shit.

    • @Feminismisfornobody
      @Feminismisfornobody 9 років тому +2

      ***** Another great idea! disband the legionaries and recruit peasants instead and throw them at spartan hoplites! we'll save tons of money on upkeep!

    • @Feminismisfornobody
      @Feminismisfornobody 9 років тому

      ***** I think Ancient Recitations would be proud of our battle strategy.

  • @gachilhan
    @gachilhan 9 років тому +6

    oh god YES i've always wanted to read The Art of War, Sun Tzu is such an interresting person. hope you will still do these series even though they dont get alot of views

  • @Based_Papa
    @Based_Papa 9 років тому +1

    I'm looking forward to your future readings, Mr Benjamin. This is some good stuff.

  • @NickMcDude
    @NickMcDude 9 років тому

    This is the best one so far (in my opinion).

  • @dfoolonthehill
    @dfoolonthehill 7 років тому +2

    A few American Presidents and their Generals failed to see the wisdom in Sun Tzu's Art of War.

  • @aravkris318
    @aravkris318 9 років тому +7

    There's a book on statecraft, military stratergy and politics by Chanakya named Arthashastra(c.350-283 BCE).
    It is worth checking out. It's scope, however is much wider than just military. Maybe you could do a reading of that??????

    • @Elround4
      @Elround4 9 років тому

      arav kris Thanks for the recommendation, I found an English translation in ebook form. ^_^ Is this translate accurate? archive.org/details/Arthasastra_English_Translation

    • @aravkris318
      @aravkris318 9 років тому +2

      I'm not sure if the translation is accurate as I, like most people haven't studied Sanskrit. But I don't see any reason why it would not be accurate.
      When you've finished, if you're into literature there are hundreds of ancient Sanskrit plays to choose from. Or medical treatsies. Or poetry. Or grammatical theory. Or philosophy(most of which does not mention God as in imaginary man). Wikipedia some of them. One specific recommendation is the play Abhijnanashakuntalam by Kalidasa.
      Or if you're into long, long epics to an extent that you'd like to read the longest poem ever, there is the Mahabharata or the much shorter Ramayana.
      Here is a super-super-abridged English version (with much of the original poetic beauty and secondary plots missing)
      www.gita-society.com/section3/mahabharata.pdf
      Of these the Ramayana and Mahabharata have a very strong cultural impact in the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia.
      Is this(reply) too long for you? Sorry.

    • @Elround4
      @Elround4 9 років тому +1

      arav kris This is getting more and more awesome. ^^ Do you have any favorite works of poetry, plays, medical treatises, and philosophy that have been translated into English? I do love to read historical texts in my free time (currently reading through System of Nature and the Prince).

    • @aravkris318
      @aravkris318 9 років тому +2

      Elround4 I'm no scholar of Sanskrit. But being raised up in a Hindu household, I grew up listening to tales from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas.(in the religious context).
      Since there is no equivalent of formalized, standard "Sunday school", the stories I listened to were not the ones my friends listened to.
      I just literally provided a link to The Mahabharata version of Rajagopalachari.
      He also has The Ramayana in similar format.
      Poetry: I'm no expert on poetry. But virtually every composition in Sanskrit is in verse. So technically they are all poems. But what Sanskrit grammarians call Kavya wikipedia will be able to help you.
      Philosophy:Again no expert. But my personal favourites would be The Mundakopanishad.(The only one I've read lol), one among 108 texts called Upanishads. Then I remember my grandfather talking to me about the Advaita school of philosophy(by Adi Shankaracharya).
      Plays: Again, not my area of expertise. But almost all Indians have atleast a basic elementary knowledge of Abhijnanashakuntalam. Amar Chitra Katha comics has an issue named "Shakuntala".
      Again use wikipedia dude.

  • @ItsaVibe22
    @ItsaVibe22 5 років тому

    Thanks for this. There is another video but this one have no ads and the voice is better.

  • @Gossenphilosoph666
    @Gossenphilosoph666 9 років тому

    Man, your video output on this channel is staggering. You must be having a lot of fun doing this. I haven't even had time to listen to all of the stuff you put out on here.
    Godspeed, you dirty brit. Godspeed.

  • @Bandstand
    @Bandstand 7 років тому +46

    Hey Sargon, great read! Could you give a proper review of Father John Misty's new music box?

  • @guillermomelendez7950
    @guillermomelendez7950 5 років тому

    This alongside with Go Rin No Sho is going to become my background while doing anything playlist.

  • @divergentstreams9378
    @divergentstreams9378 5 років тому +1

    Hey Carl thanx for the fantastic reading! I just stumbled across this today and instantly recognized your voice.

  • @TwinbeeMkII
    @TwinbeeMkII 9 років тому

    i have never read this book so it is nice to hear it read.

  • @aaronthurston9210
    @aaronthurston9210 9 років тому

    Thank you for reading one of my favorite texts

  • @readwatchlisten2863
    @readwatchlisten2863 5 місяців тому

    I was today years old when I found out Carl had this channel.

  • @DreadSnortt
    @DreadSnortt 8 років тому +2

    The comparison of this text, compared to Machiavelli's The Prince, seems much more humane and less ruthless, than the Italian's book. However I'm only 9-10 chapters into The Prince, so perhaps my interpretation will be changed somewhat by the end.

  • @howardlitson9796
    @howardlitson9796 4 роки тому

    There are so many tactics in the art of war. We must study tactics and stratagems which meet small elite troops and elite weapon to defeat the powerful of enemy.

  • @TheArchsage74
    @TheArchsage74 8 років тому

    I am really, really enjoying this channel, man. Thanks for giving me more of your voice to listen to.

  • @jonhurt6109
    @jonhurt6109 5 років тому

    It is!!! I listened to The prince and thought no cant be..I scroll down here yup thats amazing TY Sargon!

  • @stevestrangelove4970
    @stevestrangelove4970 9 років тому +13

    Sargon, have you though on making one about the romance of the three kingdoms? I mean, it would be a pretty lenghty audio book, but with the graphyc material there is, it could be quite enjoyable.

    • @TransLorentz
      @TransLorentz 7 років тому

      It's three times as long as War and Peace, though...

    • @dragonknightleader1
      @dragonknightleader1 7 років тому

      Really? War and Peace is only 40 chapters long?

    • @TransLorentz
      @TransLorentz 7 років тому

      The Romance of the Three Kingdoms has 120 chapters with more than 1000 characters

    • @drtoastnbake8688
      @drtoastnbake8688 6 років тому

      Romance of the three kingdoms podcast. UA-cam that shit

    • @atownish1488hh
      @atownish1488hh 5 років тому

      No fuk off

  • @kingmichaeltheearchangel3593
    @kingmichaeltheearchangel3593 4 роки тому

    Mastery Over All These. And I Use them daily

  • @alexdavis9610
    @alexdavis9610 8 років тому +2

    The art of war applies to Supreme commander 1 and FA. know your enemies factions weakness and strengths and you will win with tactics.

  • @stinkleaf
    @stinkleaf 8 років тому +15

    5:41 : "...thus though we have heard of stupid haste into war, cleverness has never been associated with long delays. There is no instance of a country that benefited from prolonged warfare. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war, that can understand the profitable way of carrying it on."
    This is exactly what America is doing in the Middle East from the Bush administration onward.

  • @fs5miFi1dM4u5
    @fs5miFi1dM4u5 8 років тому

    well done and thank you, I was looking forward to reading the book but work won't allow it so this is excellent for me.

  • @Emustrider
    @Emustrider 5 років тому +1

    Listening to this to get better at Total War, 3 kingdoms...

  • @MauriceTramble
    @MauriceTramble 3 роки тому

    *Top Three Audiobooks*
    1) _How to win friends and influence people._
    2) _The 48 laws of power._
    3) _The way of the superior man._

  • @howardlitson9796
    @howardlitson9796 4 роки тому +1

    Ancient Chinese pre-Qin culture and the art of war during the Spring, Autumn and Warring States period can be applied in any dynasty

  • @albinotatertot
    @albinotatertot 9 років тому +4

    You should read the story of Pygmalion! It's one of my favorites. :3

  • @strifeinc8388
    @strifeinc8388 8 років тому +1

    I didn't stop at the moral law. And life got better.

  • @BrandonAgomuo
    @BrandonAgomuo 6 років тому

    Always a good read/listen.

  • @toryswan3585
    @toryswan3585 8 років тому

    to give thought, then consider all things, great read.

  • @jscott1622
    @jscott1622 5 років тому

    I'm going to apply all the strategies in this book and see if can win in RTS games

  • @JH-tk6ge
    @JH-tk6ge 4 роки тому

    43:47 Picketts charge was a blunder of attacking a fortified hill position. Supplies were cut off, the cavalry was missing in action, the troops exhausted and on the verge of mutinous capitulation. General Lee forced his hand and lost badly by breaking many many arts of war. He thought he couldn't retreat and regroup, hastyness.

  • @dppid083wk7
    @dppid083wk7 7 років тому +2

    sargon please do an audio version/narrate the voynich manuscript
    Thank You *love*

  • @IndifferentSky
    @IndifferentSky 9 років тому +1

    OMG I just wanted a book to fall asleep to and it's fucking SARGON.

  • @inuysha360
    @inuysha360 9 років тому +12

    This was really great, thanks a lot Sargon!
    How about a Dante's inferno audiobook?

    • @MegaFarinato
      @MegaFarinato 9 років тому +8

      inuysha360 thats a game, and you mean the "divine comedy"?

    • @inuysha360
      @inuysha360 9 років тому

      MegaFarinato Yes, sorry if that was unclear. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferno_(Dante)

    • @MegaFarinato
      @MegaFarinato 9 років тому +2

      inuysha360 oh! so Dante's inferno is actually a thing! i like discovering new stuff =)

    • @Usammityduzntafraidofanythin
      @Usammityduzntafraidofanythin 9 років тому

      MegaFarinato Inferno is part of the divine comedy. There's also paradiso and another one (purgatory I think?).

    • @blackopsy9
      @blackopsy9 9 років тому +4

      MegaFarinato You and seven other people thought Dante's Inferno was originally a game.
      I'm going to go kill myself now.

  • @ZealotOfSteal
    @ZealotOfSteal 9 років тому

    I just fucking love this new channel of yours Sargon. I would probably have never read the texts you've made readings of otherwise.
    Thank you so much.

  • @thethrillz3204
    @thethrillz3204 7 років тому +1

    I've already read this book a thousand times. Is that Piers Morgan doing audio?

  • @cytos1694
    @cytos1694 9 років тому +5

    now do the Homer's works! (not the dumb yellow one)
    although i would prolly watch sargon sayin all of dumb yellow homers lines dubbed

  • @goofed6010
    @goofed6010 4 роки тому

    am I the only one that was thinking for pokemon battles through the whole audiobook
    thank you for sharing it :)

  • @parabalani
    @parabalani 8 років тому

    This is so high level english... A lot of smart words, very hard to understand for non native speakers

    • @markuskekero8363
      @markuskekero8363 8 років тому +1

      +pupicucek2 people who speak English do that because it makes us fell smart and pisses everybody else off