Denma Translation Group

Denma Translation Group

The Denma Translation Group is led by Kidder Smith and James Gimian. Smith directs the Asian Studies Department at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Gimian is publisher of the Shambhala Sun magazine and a publishing consultant. The other members of the group have worked professionally in the writing, editing, and publishing fields.

Denma Translation Group

The Denma Translation Group is led by Kidder Smith and James Gimian. Smith directs the Asian Studies Department at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Gimian is publisher of the Shambhala Sun magazine and a publishing consultant. The other members of the group have worked professionally in the writing, editing, and publishing fields.

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GUIDES

Readers’ Picks

In thinking about year-end gifts, we want to share what YOU have to say.

Below are some lovely quotations from readers on their favorite Shambhala books.

Do you have one to add? Please comment at the bottom!

People Reading

The Art of Peace

$9.99 - Paperback

By: John Stevens & Morihei Ueshiba

“This book showed me a different way, a way to devote discipline of both my body and mind.”

—Clint

The Happiness Trap (Second Edition)

$19.95 - Paperback

By: Russ Harris

“As a therapist, I recommend this to anyone seeking permanent life change realistically.”

—Paul

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

$16.95 - Paperback

By: David Chadwick & Shunryu Suzuki

“If there is one book in my collection that I could give away to everyone, it would be this book.”

—Michael

Writing Down the Bones

$16.95 - Paperback

By: Natalie Goldberg

“This book changed my life as a writer, a teacher of writing, and as an individual!”

—Laurie

“This is a foundational book for anyone interested in delving deeper into the richness of martial arts philosophy.”

—Shane

When Things Fall Apart

$18.95 - Paperback

By: Pema Chödrön

“This book set me on a path of healing that has continued to the present day.”

—Miv

Walden

$18.00 - Hardcover

By: Henry David Thoreau

“This is, plain and simply, an astonishing book.”

—Michael

Siddhartha

$12.95 - Paperback

By: Hermann Hesse & Sherab Chodzin Kohn

“Pure, melodic, poetic, this book should be one of the first ones on the list for every serious reader.”

—Pawan

Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching

$14.95 - Paperback

By: Ursula K. Le Guin

“Every time I read Tao Te Ching, the book feels new again, fresh, as if only just discovered.”

—Robin

The Art of War

$19.95 - Paperback

By: Denma Translation Group & Sun Tzu

“Makes you really appreciate the ideas of strength and courage and the power of emotions and desire in overcoming any obstacle you face.”

—Eman

The Want Monsters

$16.95 - Hardcover

By: Chelo Manchego

“There is playfulness and joy on every page of this book, with a unique tone that has a distinctive voice and is full of heart.”

—Caspericus

The Wisdom of Not Knowing

$19.95 - Paperback

By: Estelle Frankel

“You will smile, cry, and be moved by the writings of a master storyteller.”

—Bruce

A Year of Picnics

$24.95 - Hardcover

By: Ashley English

“Filled with beautiful photos, delightful recipes, and creative picnic themes, each page gives inspiration to get outdoors!”

—Carly

Simple Green Suppers

$24.95 - Paperback

By: Susie Middleton

“This one hits the sweet spot for our busy lives with wonderful recipes of vegetarian dinners!”

—Alice

The Yogi Assignment

$24.95 - Paperback

By: Kino MacGregor

“Kino will motivate you to stick to the practice and walk the yogi path.”

—Julie

Trump and a Post-Truth World

$14.95 - Paperback

By: Ken Wilber

“A remarkable vision and an inspiring perspective of the challenges and opportunities in the chaotic, divisive, and evolving global cultures.”

—John

Mindful Games Activity Cards

$21.95 - MixedMedia

By: Susan Kaiser Greenland

“I think this is a great way for beginners to get started in mindfulness without feeling overwhelmed.”

—D.

The Religion of Tomorrow

$39.95 - Hardcover

By: Ken Wilber

“Brilliant. Life-changing. Psycho-active. Very enlightening.”

—Mariëlle

The Fountain Tarot

$40.00 - MixedMedia

By: Jason Gruhl & Andi Todaro & Jonathan Saiz

“Beautiful artwork that is cohesive and inspiring, high-quality construction, and an informative and well-written manual.”

—Rachel

Eat This Poem

$18.95 - Paperback

By: Nicole Gulotta

“Beautiful blend of memoir, cookbook, and reflections on living a thoughtful, food-enhanced life.”

—Kirsten

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The Art of War: A Reader’s Guide to the Way of Leadership and Strategy

For millennia, the classic book of strategy known as The Art of War has been one of the most influential guides to navigating conflict—read and studied not only by military tacticians but by leaders and thinkers of all types. But in many ways, its title is a misnomer. For its author, Sun Tzu (c. 544–496 B.C.E.), the most masterful strategists are able to thwart war altogether by skillfully managing conflicts. Still, Sun Tzu also recognizes that conflicts—even the horrors of war—can sometimes become inevitable. And The Art of War offers compelling insights for achieving swift victory with the most minimal suffering for all involved.

Shambhala Publications is pleased to offer some of the most groundbreaking contemporary translations and commentaries of this ancient classic available in English. To help readers discern the differences in the content and character of each of the versions in our collection, this guide will share some of their key features and most distinctive qualities.

The Thomas Cleary Translation

Thomas Cleary’s translation of The Art of War is a breakthrough achievement and has been a gold standard among translations for three decades, offering the complete text in eminently readable prose with short commentaries by other ancient Chinese strategists and philosophers interwoven throughout. Cleary also offers a clear and succinct introduction to the historical and philosophical context of The Art of War to provide readers with all of the background they’ll need to get started. There is no better entry point to The Art of War than this, and countless readers call Cleary’s translation their first and favorite.

Cleary’s translation is available in a number of editions, including: paperback, MP3 downloads, CD, and more.

The Art of War

$14.95 - Paperback

By: Thomas Cleary & Sun Tzu

For those wanting to go even deeper into the rich tradition of commentaries and elaborations on Sun Tzu’s philosophy, Thomas Cleary’s The Art of War: Complete Texts and Commentaries is the book of choice. It includes the full translation and set of commentaries that appear in the standard edition of his translation—plus translations of Mastering the Art of War (a handbook of leadership principles by Han dynasty generals Zhuge Liang and Liu Ji based on The Art of War), The Lost Art of War (practical applications of The Art of War’s principles by a descendant of Sun Tzu), and The Silver Sparrow Art of War (a version of The Art of War based on a manuscript of the text found during an archaeological dig in Shandong Province in 1972, containing fragments that had never before been known).

It is available in both paper and digital editions.

The Art of War

$29.95 - Paperback

By: Thomas Cleary & Sun Tzu

The Denma Translation Group

For a perspective on The Art of War that relates its philosophy directly to the concerns of contemporary, everyday life, the Denma translation is second to none. In addition to a full translation of the text, it offers numerous essays and line-by-line commentaries to elucidate practical applications. And aside from its exceedingly helpful commentaries, the translation itself is uniquely artful, revealing subtleties and enigmatic nuances to the original that no other translation captures quite so poetically. The Denma Translation Group, led by Kidder Smith (Bowdoin College) and James Gimian (Lion’s Roar magazine), has truly offered a treasure for would-be explorers of Sun Tzu’s thought. It is available in several editions:

Paperback + CD| Paperback |Hardcover

The Art of War

$19.95 - Paperback

By: Denma Translation Group & Sun Tzu

For those who wish to further explore the day-to-day applicability of The Art of War presented in the Denma translation, a very helpful companion piece is The Rules of Victory by James Gimian and Barry Boyce. It contains in-depth analyses of the real-life benefits to practicing The Art of War as well as practical guidance on how to transform chaos and conflict into opportunities for personal, professional, and social transformation. It includes the complete Denma translation of The Art of War as a useful appendix.

Available in Paperback | CD | Downloadble MP3.

The Rules of Victory

$26.95 - Paperback

By: Barry Boyce & James Gimian

Related Books on Strategy

In addition to translations of The Art of War itself, Shambhala Publications also offers a number of related books on strategy, leadership philosophy, and the art of success from classical Eastern sources.

One of the most compelling direct commentaries on Sun Tzu’s Art of War is Thomas Cleary’s Mastering the Art of War, a translation of writings by two prominent generals of classical China trained in Sun Tzu’s philosophy. It also appears in The Art of War: Complete Texts and Commentaries.

Mastering the Art of War

$24.95 - Paperback

By: Thomas Cleary & Liu Ji & Zhuge Liang

The Book of Leadership and Strategy is another classic Chinese text on organizational management, statecraft, and working with changing circumstances. Translated masterfully by Thomas Cleary, it is a valuable resource for people of all stripes—from those entrusted with business or political leadership to any individual seeking clarity and direction for awakening their own leadership potential.

The Book of Leadership and Strategy

$18.95 - Paperback

By: Thomas Cleary

Thomas Cleary’s Ways of Warriors, Codes of Kings is a keepsake collection of sayings from ancient Chinese masters of strategy. The perfect book for pithy gems of wisdom and inspiration.

The 36 Strategies of the Martial Arts is another extraordinary collection of ancient Chinese maxims on strategy, tactics, and the principles of success. These ancient teachings, collected and explained by Professor Hiroshi Moriya—brought to life in clear English by renowned translator of classic Japanese texts William Scott Wilson—it stands very much in the tradition of The Art of War as an essential classic.

Furthermore, The Japanese Art of War offers a fascinating elucidation of Japan’s own, unique traditions of military philosophy—themselves heavily influenced by Sun Tzu and other classic Chinese strategists. Among its many topics, it explores the influence of Buddhist sources on the development of samurai philosophy in Japan.

The Japanese Art of War

$21.95 - Paperback

By: Thomas Cleary

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