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The Book of Five Rings

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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 Miyamoto Musashi. Thomas Cleary's translation is immediately accessible, with an introduction that presents the spiritual background of the warrior tradition. Along with Musashi's text, Cleary translates here another important Japanese classic on leadership and strategy, The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War by Yagyu Munenori, which highlights the ethical and spiritual insights of Taoism and Zen as they apply to the way of the warrior.

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10 Reviews

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1
From: Amazon Posted: Apr 29, 2008 Type: User Review WARRIORS BIBLE

Musashi, like every great warrior, knew that strategy was as important as tactics and techniques in combat. This book will teach you things that were learned in combat and will enhance your survival potential on the battlefield, street and life....
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5.00 Star Rating
5.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Jan 30, 2008 Type: User Review Business and Martial Arts


The book written by the samurai warrior Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645 is considered a classic treatise on military strategy, and it enjoys an audience considerably broader than only that of martial artists: for instance, some business leaders...
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5.00 Star Rating
5.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Jan 27, 2008 Type: User Review Classic Martial Arts Text Purchase

Haven't read it yet, but looking forward to reading both of the books within the text as it is. Thanks
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5.00 Star Rating
5.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Jan 02, 2008 Type: User Review Strategy from the Japanese Warrior

The Book of Five Rings is similar to Sun Tzu Art of War in that is discusses strategy, fighting, and competition from a combat perspective. The book is small in size and easy for reading while traveling. While references can found that comment...
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4.00 Star Rating
4.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Sep 30, 2007 Type: User Review A Great Book!

This really is a great book. It contains a philosophical outlook on dealing with people and sword fighting/combat from hundreds of years ago, but it really translates very well into today's modern business world. Everyone could learn something...
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5.00 Star Rating
5.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Jul 19, 2007 Type: User Review Easy to Read - Difficult to Apply


The Book of Five Rings is a superb little book that makes some important points. However, it is all too easy to take what it has to say out of context. The time and place to which it was literally relevant has long since passed. What it...
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4.00 Star Rating
4.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Jun 27, 2007 Type: User Review VERY great book, however...

I'm not sure I like the translator for it because being someone who loves and studies Japanese history and Kendo, I can't get over the fact he makes references to modern sports like football or basketball, to make a point. If it were written in a...
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4.00 Star Rating
4.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Apr 10, 2007 Type: User Review A Life Metaphor

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.
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5.00 Star Rating
5.00/5
From: Amazon Posted: Jan 12, 2007 Type: User Review This is how you conquer your enemies and the world

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...
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5.00 Star Rating
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From: Amazon Posted: Nov 26, 2005 Type: User Review Musashi vs Yagyus: Duels In Writing

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...
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5.00 Star Rating
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