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.