Strategy

The Art of War

Sun Tzu · 500 BC

Lindy Score

23,817·Legendary

2,526 yrs

Age

6

Endorsers

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Why it endured

Thirteen chapters on military strategy that have been applied to business, law, sports, and leadership for 2,500 years. Influencing everyone from Napoleon to modern CEOs, its core insight — that the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting — remains universally applicable.

What they're saying

6 people recommend this book

Tim FerrissAuthor & investor

The Art of War is not just about war. It's a book about competitive dynamics — how to win without fighting.

The Tim Ferriss Show

Jeff BezosFounder of Amazon

Sun Tzu's insights about strategic positioning remain remarkably relevant to modern competitive environments.

Interview

Ray DalioFounder of Bridgewater Associates

Sun Tzu understood that most battles are won before they're fought. The preparation, the positioning — that's what matters.

Twitter

Elon MuskCEO of Tesla & SpaceX

The Art of War is still one of the best books on strategy. Sun Tzu's core insight — that the best victory is one achieved without fighting — applies everywhere.

Twitter

PewDiePieContent creator & book reviewer

A book written 2,500 years ago that still feels completely relevant. The insight that strategy is about positioning and preparation, not brute force, is timeless.

YouTube

Neil deGrasse TysonAstrophysicist & science communicator

The Art of War by Sun Tsu, to learn that the act of killing fellow humans can be raised to an art.

reddit.com