The Art of War, an ancient Chinese text dating from the Spring and Autumn period of the fifth century BC., is a military treatise attributed to the military strategist, Sun Tzu, also called Sunzi. Each of the thirteen chapters discusses a different aspect of warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. For nearly 1,500 years, it was the lead text in an anthology, which in 1080 became known as Seven Military Classics by the Emperor Shenzong of Song.

Considered the most influential strategy text in all of East Asia, The Art of War has had a great impact on both Eastern and Western military tactics, business tactics, legal strategy, and much more. It was first published in French in 1772 and partially translated into English in 1905. The first complete English translation was completed by Lionel Gilesin in 1910. Many historical military and political leaders have drawn inspiration from the text, including Mao Mao Zedong, Võ Nguyên Giáp, and Norman Schwarzkopf.

"Those mfs should stop quoting me."
-Sun tzu