Good question. By the time I discovered Sun Tzu, the Griffith translation had become the standard (it was the only version at the Pentagon book store in the early 70’s, for example) and it seemed like Giles was relegated to a “good earlier try” position.

I’m looking at my 1944 edition that has “Property of U.S. Navy” stamped on the inside front hardcover. Needless to say, it’s in nearly mint condition.

I’ve always liked some of the language in Giles, though. Here’s the “Speed is the essence of war” passage from “The Nine Situations”:

Rapidity is the essence of war; take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

I personally prefer “rapidity” to “speed,” which is often confused with “velocity.”

As I mentioned, I have no way to comment on the quality of the translations, and one can expect that later translators — Griffith, Cleary, Sawyer, Denma, and now Huynh to name a few — have taken advantage of the nearly a century of scholarship (particularly the Linyi text) since Giles came out.

Anybody else want to nominate a favorite translation?

“Beats the heck out of me.”

I’ve experienced that, on a lesser scale, someone I met
at one time, without much notice, turns out later I had
a significant influence on their inspiration and career.

It’s very flattering Chet, and comes as no surprise in your case,
and amoung the company you’ve kept.

We should all strive harder to be worthy.

MaXimillian

I rekon, they’l have a real tough time ever replacing
this GUY.

And should just about do it, for Somalia, you won’t be hearing
much about any “trouble” out of there anymore,,,.

MaXimillian

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080501/ap_on_re_af/somalia_airstrike

US military: Al-Qaida in Somalia head targeted in US strike By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN, Associated Press Writer
21 minutes ago

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The U.S. military killed a man identified as the head of the main al-Qaida cell in Somalia and 10 others in an airstrike overnight, an Islamic insurgent group said Thursday.

The U.S. military confirmed an attack on a suspected al-Qaida target but did not identify the target.

2″I highly recommend the 2002 Denma Translation of the Sun Tzu.”

Good quotes Randy, concise and to the point.

What I want to know is, how can one account for the USA’s
continious breaking of practicaly every single tennant of good practice
and theory of warfare in iraq ? Under supposidly brilliant leadership,
and the self proclaimed mightest military force ever.

Now tied down into it’s 6th year against, what ? 20,000 or
so losely based insurgence, without much in the way of
sattelite technology, UAVs, advanced streath aircraft,
or a single carrier.

Retorical,
Who’s going to respect, much less fear the US military after
this ?

MaXimillian

1. “Speed is the essence of war.”

It is the nature of the military that swiftness rules.
Ride others’ inadequacies.
Go by unexpected ways.
Attack where he has not taken precautions.

2. “All warfare is based on deception.”

The military is the Tao of deception.
Thus when able, manifest inability.
When active, manifest inactivity.
When near, manifest as far.
When far, manifest as near.

Two of the authors, James Gimian and Barry Boyce have just released a further commentary on the text, “The Rules of Victory: How to Transform Chaos and Conflict—Strategies from the Art of War.” Also highly recommended.