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Art of War

Translated, Edited, and with a Commentary by Christopher Lynch

Art of War

Translated, Edited, and with a Commentary by Christopher Lynch
Niccolò Machiavelli’s Art of War is one of the world’s great classics of military and political theory. Praised by the finest military minds in history and said to have influenced no lesser lights than Frederick the Great and Napoleon, the Art of War is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history and theory of war in the West—and for readers of The Prince and Discourse on Livy who seek to explore more fully the connection between war and politics in Machiavelli’s thought.

Machiavelli scholar Christopher Lynch offers a sensitive and entirely new translation of the Art of War, faithful to the original but rendered in modern, idiomatic English. Lynch’s fluid translation helps readers appreciate anew Machiavelli’s brilliant treatments of the relationships between war and politics, civilians and the military, and technology and tactics. Clearly laying out the fundamentals of military organization and strategy, Machiavelli marshals a veritable armory of precepts, prescriptions, and examples about such topics as how to motivate your soldiers and demoralize the enemy’s, avoid ambushes, and gain the tactical and strategic advantage in countless circumstances.

To help readers better appreciate the Art of War, Lynch provides an insightful introduction that covers its historical and political context, sources, influence, and contemporary relevance. He also includes a substantial interpretive essay discussing the military, political, and philosophical aspects of the work, as well as maps, an index of names, and a glossary.

Read aphorisms from the book.
An audiobook version is available.


312 pages | 2 maps, 7 line drawings | 6 x 9 | © 2003

History: European History, Military History

Political Science: Classic Political Thought

Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations
Translator’s Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Suggested Readings
Note on the Translation
Outline of the Art of War

The Art of War
Book I
Book II
Book III
Book IV
Book V
Book VI
Book VII

Figures
Interpretive Essay
Glossary
Index of Proper Names

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