There is debate on whether Sun Tzu is a real historical figure or not, and if so when exactly he lived but roughly 400 BC. 'Art of War' has alternately been considered 'mandatory reading' and 'off limits' over the past centuries. In current management literature there are regular references to it and it is apparently mandatory reading for Japanese managers.

There are many translations of 'Art of War' including in comic book form. 'Art of War' itself is a rather short book and may in itself not be very enlightening. The translation of Sawyer is preceded by a historical analysis and a lot of background information to enable the reader to read 'Art of War' in it's proper perspective. It also points out the problems in the translation of such an old Chinese text (characters are nut just words, they have a context based meaning).

'Art of War', though dealing with troop movements and terrains easily translates into a business environment with competing companies and markets. The advice given is short and clear and, in most cases, extremely logical.

I have not started quoting the book but it has been on my mind regularly since reading it. Recommended if you have, at least, a passing interest in history and a lot of interest in management.