The Art of War

Tsai’s adaptation of The Art of War revitalized the millenniums-old treatise by trimming away the repetitive elements, tightening the narrative until the ancient lessons of warfare leapt off the page. But the defining element of Tsai’s work is the illustrations. His Disney-influenced style brings humor and immediacy to the text, with Sunzi himself popping into the story as both the wise and fearless commander of blank-eyed, child-like soldiers and the conniving nemesis to the enemy who tries to cross him. Humiliated soldiers seethe and bluster while Sunzi and his men titter with laughter. A particular pleasure is the anthropomorphized livestock, like the horse who surrenders while standing on its hind legs with hooves raised in the air, mirroring its rider’s hands-up posture. Tsai’s characters are drawn to entertain, whether you’re a comic-book enthusiast or a military strategist.—John Ismay, New York Times At War “C. C. Tsai’s popular cartoon adaptations of the Chinese classics are original and uniquely accessible.”–Mark Csikszentmihalyi, University of California, Berkeley “C. C. Tsai’s introductions to the world of Chinese thought and spirituality are masterpieces. His drawings are charming, clever, and engaging; his texts are clear and faithful to the spirit of the originals; and Brian Bruya’s translations are fluid and accurate.”–Stephen C. Angle, Wesleyan University “[C. C. Tsai’s] books are awe-inspiring. His line is elegant; his characters are sharply drawn; his humor is sly and appropriate; and his subject is profound. This is cartooning of the highest order.”–Larry Gonick, author of The Cartoon History of the Universe

C. C. Tsai is one of East Asia’s most beloved illustrators. His bestselling editions of the Chinese classics have introduced generations of readers to the wisdom of such luminaries as Confucius, Zhuangzi, and Laozi. Born in Taiwan, Tsai now lives in Hangzhou, China. Brian Bruya is professor of philosophy at Eastern Michigan University, where he teaches Chinese and comparative philosophy. He has translated many of Tsai’s books into English. Lawrence Freedman is professor emeritus of war studies at King’s College London and the author of Strategy: A History.