The Art of War by Sun Tzu is one of the most popular and recognizable works on military strategy. It was developed and published in the 5th century B.C., and, over time, it has turned into the classics of literature. Written by a military strategist and general, the piece of work is valuable not only for acquiring the knowledge of military strategies but also obtaining a better understanding of the history of China of the period when the book was developed. More than that, being the most well-known classic reading, The Art of War is still relevant for modern people regardless of the country they dwell in or involvement in military activities.

As it has been stated above, the book is a valuable source for obtaining an understanding of the Chinese history of the fifth century B.C. – the time when it was developed and first published. First and foremost, it points to the fact that, during this epoch, Chinese leaders were interested in taking over new lands and increasing not only the territory of the country but also its influence in the region. Here, it is hinted at the point that China and the settlements located in the nearby were actively involved in military operations and warfare. This belief is supported by the specific attention paid to the criticality of war to the state and the welfare of its citizens as well as their safety in the future. Particularly, Sun Tzu believed that, “The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or ruin” (Ch. 1). In this way, being aware of the way to lay war-related plans and efficiently carry out military activities was one perceived as one of the central objectives of the Chinese state.

In addition, reading the book, it seemed that the foundation of hierarchical society was rooted in the period when the piece of work was developed. In other words, Sun Tzu established the grounds for the culture of a leader by claiming that, “the stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will fall behind” (Ch. 2) and “the general receives his commands from the sovereign” (Ch. 2). Regardless of the focus on the personality of a general and the role of soldiers in military activities, it can be viewed within a broader context. This comprehensive perspective is the interest in building a powerful state governed by strong leaders and controlled by an individual responsible for all citizens just like the general is responsible for his soldiers and strict adherence to the commands of those occupying higher ladders within the social hierarchy just like the general obeys the sovereign. In this way, the book may point to the beginnings of the state formation in China.

In addition to the value for learning about the ancient history of China, the book is still relevant for the people living in the 21st century. The concept of military strategy can be transmitted into the area of international relations, as well as interpersonal bonds, not only war-related activities and direct conflicts. To be specific, the value of the book is associated with the focus on the criticality of knowledge, and not only knowledge of one’s enemies but also that of one’s self and their environment. From this perspective, The Art of War is relevant today because it helps understand the ways to build effective relations – either between states or with people, –and the appropriate use of information and different combinations of fundamental maneuvers (direct and indirect interactions) are at the heart of these effective bonds.