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  • The Art of War

  • Written by: Sun Tzu
  • Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
  • Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,953 ratings)

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The Art of War cover art

The Art of War

Written by: Sun Tzu
Narrated by: Aidan Gillen
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Publisher's 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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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Short and sweet.
The content is very rapid and I found it a bit hard to follow.
Will have to give it another listen to really grasp the ideas.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • IK
  • 2020-11-08

Concise Listen

Great short 1 hour listen for people with relevant points for people under time constraints

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

Great Reading of an Ancient Book

Narrator was excellent, of course. This is an ancient book, a must read for many aspects including philosophy. Poignant given what is happening in the world right now.

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

Littlefinger reads The Art of War

I can't imagine a more effective voice to read this text. Aidan Gillen's northern Irish voice will be most familiar to listeners as that of the political fixer Littlefinger from Game of Thrones - and The Art of War is the theory behind that part of the real-life game of thrones that consists of military action. It is not a narrative, but a "how to" manual - and the basic principles have not changed much in the hundreds of years since the book was written. I listened to it with great pleasure several times and think of it often as I read about current events.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic

I can't think of a better person to read this than Littlefinger. Well done.

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

Short quick listen

Content out together in a great short manner, it was a fairly easy listen and well utilized the philosophical aspects of winning a conflict

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating Listen

I highly recommend this book if you would like to brush up on strategy. Although written for military purposes, Tzu's knowledge is applicable to all areas of life.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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If you’re interested in strategy in war

You have to be interested in listening about war strategy in order to fully appreciate this work.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Classic book brilliantly narrated!

I hadn't read this book before and since it was now part of the "included" books, I thought I'd give it a listen to. I am so glad I did!! Aiden Gillen did an expert job in making what could be a dry book come alive and quite interesting. I am so glad I was able to listen to it and will listen to this again. I will also look at what other books Gillen has narrated.
Yes, I do recommend this book!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • P
  • 2021-08-27

Quick listen! Universally Applicable!

Take time to reflect on each chapter before proceeding. Don't let the shortness of the text cause you to speed through it. Consider one or two chapters a day.

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