- ISBN13: 9781590302484
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the subtle arts of confrontation and victory to emerge from Asian culture. Written not only for martial artists but for anyone who wants to apply the timeless principles of this text to their life, the book analyzes the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that underlies every level of human interaction. The Book of Five Rings was composed in 1643 by the famed duelist and undefeated samurai M… More >>
#1 by Marina Kushner on May 26, 2010 - 2:46 pm
This advice from a 17th century samurai will teach you self-discipline and strategy for life. Learn how to navigate any conflict life hands you.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by J. S. Cowan on May 26, 2010 - 4:22 pm
Haven’t read it yet, but looking forward to reading both of the books within the text as it is. Thanks
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Grifter on May 26, 2010 - 4:38 pm
Musashi and Yagyu have presented here the techniques and philosophies on the winning and losing a conflict. Although the writings of Musashi are geared to the aspect of swordmanship and warfare and Yagyu to politics and psychology, their writings are applicable to any aspect of competition and conflict in life: whether it be buisness negotiations, political diplomacy, arguments with loved ones, a life and death street fight, or leading a legion of soldiers in the battlefield.
The writings are rough and brief but direct and requires a great deal of retrospect. Especially Musashi, his vernacular is that of a modern day football player or military drill instructor. His thoughts are not conveyed elaborately. But there is power and truth in his words.
If you’ve read the writings of Sun Tzu then the 5 rings (scrolls) is a must for fans of strategy and conquest.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by susumu-5 on May 26, 2010 - 5:13 pm
MUSASHI is no doubt the legendary Samurai hero dramatized into a number of plays and novels most famous of which is by Yoshikawa Eiji. Thomas Cleary not only translated this classic by Musashi’s own writing into English, but he also introduced Musashi’s archrival bushido school by Yagyus’ chief Munenori’s “The Book of Family Traditions of Book of War”. Such coupling should cause much uproars from pure bushido followers which take sides of either ideas of the way of sword.
Musashi and Yagyus have contrasting idea of the way of the samurai. For loner undefeated Musashi the goal of the school is winning the opponent alone. But for Yagyu family who has much favor from Shoguns: the goal is to get rid of the evil to do justice. Yagyus favor distinctions while Musashi abhors it. But with such striking difference they share the fundamentals. Both are influenced by Sun Zi’s The Art of War and Zen Buddhism.
Essential for THE ART OF WAR appreciators and Samurai fans as well as anyone who get involved into competition in business or sports. They may give you a clue to how to win the oppponent with careful examination and readily mindset.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by D. Stowers on May 26, 2010 - 7:23 pm
This book is based on the writings of a 16th centery master duelest, but is a little long from a narrative point
the shipping could be improved on this item. 17 days is just to long when it was shipped from a 10 hour drive away.
Rating: 3 / 5