01512nam a2200217Ia 4500 CTU_114518 210402s9999 xx 000 0 und d 355.547 M985 Miyamoto, Musashi A book of five rings Miyamoto Musaschi; Translated by Victor Harris London Allison and Busby 1974 Written by legendary Japanese swordsman Musashi, this 17th-century exposition of sword-fighting strategy and Zen philosophy has been embraced by many contemporary readers, especially business school students, as a manual on how to succeed in life. There are many English translations, but every one, including this one, suffers from inadequate cultural, literary, and philosophical commentary. Musashi's work should be studied, not simply read, and Cleary's translation lacks commentary; it also makes the prose seems flat and the philosophy simplistic. Yet what makes this new translation worthwhile is the second text, buried deep in the back like an appendix: Yagyu Munenori's The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War. This text, also an exposition on sword fighting and Zen philosophy, is difficult to find in an English translation, and its availability is welcome. Recommended for academic libraries generally Military art and science,Swordplay Early works to 1800 Japan Giang Trung tâm Học liệu Trường Đại học Cần Thơ