Classics on War and Politics

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Latest release: January 6, 2019
Series
8
Audiobooks

About this audiobook series

The Art of War is a classic of military strategy. It is ascribed to Sun Tzu, also called Sunzi or Sun Wu, a quasi-legendary figure. The work has been dated from between the 6th to the 3rd century BCE. It is known worldwide and is considered required reading for students of political and military science. This new edition meant to address the needs of the modern reader. By honing the language down to clear formulations, The Art of War can be more readily understood, more enjoyable to read, and more relevant to today.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu: New Modern Edition
Book 1 · Dec 2012 ·
4.6
The Art of War is a classic of military strategy. It is ascribed to Sun Tzu, also called Sunzi or Sun Wu, a quasi-legendary figure. The work has been dated from between the 6th to the 3rd century BCE. It is known worldwide and is considered required reading for students of political and military science. This new edition meant to address the needs of the modern reader. By honing the language down to clear formulations, The Art of War can be more readily understood, more enjoyable to read, and more relevant to today.
The Analects by Confucius: New Modern Edition
Book 2 · Nov 2018 ·
4.7
The Analects, literally Edited Conversations, is a collection of aphorisms and brief conversations attributed to Confucius, but most likely not written during his lifetime. The standard translations of this work are usually stuffed with additional commentary, and difficult to follow. This new modern edition includes the clearest aphorisms and an introductory essay.
The Arthashastra by Chanakya (Kautilya): New Modern Edition
Book 3 · Jan 2019 ·
4.2

Max Weber declared that compared to the Arthashastra, Machiavelli's "The Prince" is harmless. The Arthashastra -- "The science of politics and political economy" -- is an extended treatise on how to found and rule an empire. The author Chanyaka (also known as Kautilya) was the masterful advisor to ruler Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan empire, one of the greatest our world has ever seen.

The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: New Modern Edition
Book 4 ·
4.7

Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 CE, and is considered the last of the Five Good Emperors. He was a Stoic Philosopher and his work The Meditations (literally things to one’s self) is a set of private notes and thoughts. It is considered to be one of the greatest extant works of stoic philosophy.


Each translation of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius takes some liberties. Words are added and some removed in order to better reach meaning and understanding. This latest translation and new modern edition is meant to restore some of these missing elements, and provide a clear and accurate presentation of this great classic in English.

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli: New Modern Edition
Book 5 ·
5.0

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat and philosopher during the Renaissance, and a 

senior official in the Florentine Republic. After being imprisoned, and then exiled from politics, 

he wrote "The Prince" in 1513. While a keen commentator on political and military matters, 

Machiavelli also wrote poetry and comedies which were popular in his lifetime, unlike his 

political works. Still, his first love was ever and always politics.

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi: New Modern Edition
Book 6 ·
4.0
Miyamoto Musashi was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher and ronin (masterless samurai). Musashi died of what is believed to be thoracic cancer, in 1645 -- undefeated, having fought 61 duels. His work The Book of Five Rings is a treatise on his unique style of swordsmanship, strategy, and tactics.
The Hagakure (Bushido) The Way of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo: New Modern Edition
Book 7 ·
4.5
Yamamoto Tsunetomo was a samurai for thirty years under Nabeshima Mitsushige, his father, and grandfather. Because Mitsushige disliked the practice, Tsunetomo did not follow his master in death. Later he narrated his thoughts and stories to Tashiro Tsuramoto who compiled and published the work Hagakure (literally hidden leaves or in the shadow of leaves), in 1716. Hagakure is also known as The Book of the Samurai and The Way of the Samurai. Aphorisms from the book were popularized in the 1999 Jim Jaramusch film "Ghost Dog" starring Forest Whitaker.
Seven Classics on War and Politics: New Modern Edition
Book 8 ·
5.0

This is an international collection spanning over 2,000 years of history. Two books are from China, one from India, two from Italy, and two from Japan. These works provide insight into the thinking of warlords and kings who ruled across Asia and Europe in ancient times. 

Some of these books are focused more on war and military science (Art of War, Book of Five Rings, Hagakure), others are more self-reflective and develop an ethical philosophy (Analects, Meditations), and others still are focused more on politics and ruling (Arthashastra, The Prince). Each of these books provides a unique and historical perspective regarding these topics, and they complement each other in tracing deep insight into the nature of leadership, war, politics, and statecraft.