The Book of Five Rings

By: Miyamoto Musashi, William Scott Wilson - translator

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Setting down his thoughts on swordplay, on winning, and on spirituality, legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi intended this modest work as a guide for his immediate disciples and future generations of samurai. He had little idea he was penning a masterpiece that would be eagerly devoured by people in all walks of life centuries after his death.

Along with The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings has long been regarded as an invaluable treatise on the strategy of winning. Musashi's timeless advice on defeating an adversary, throwing an opponent off-guard, creating confusion, and other techniques for overpowering an assailant was addressed to readers of earlier times on the battlefield and now serves the modern listener in the battle of life.

In this new rendering by the translator of Hagakure and The Unfettered Mind, William Scott Wilson adheres rigorously to the 17th-century Japanese text and clarifies points of ambiguity in earlier translations. In addition, he offers an extensive introduction and a translation of Musashi's rarely published The Way of Walking Alone.

©2002 William Scott Wilson (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"On Wall Street, when Musashi talks, people listen." ( Time)

The book of 5 rings

Very thrilling enticing well knowledgeable of military and civilian life very fun and entertaining enlightening

thought provoking

this is a definite multi read book so you can catch all the knowledge that it holds. As a martial artist this has given me a different way of looking at my training

An excellent treatise on martial arts' principles.

Loved it. The most deepened parts on the text might be The way of walking alone, and the hidden content on Emptiness chapter.
The book structure is clear, the translator speech is bold. Recommend this book for anyone seeking a through inquiry into his true being.

Wonderful narration, content for mental sharpening

What more can be said which has not already been said of this book? Many concepts worthy of in-depth study and application regardless of ones occupations...that which is stated in this work may be applied broadly. There is a great emphasis on clarity of mind and directness of approach which one can integrate into any and all aspects of ones own life. I have revisited this work many times and will continue to do so.

As for the narrator, I feel as if I could listen to his voice perform instruction-based books of any kind.

Also, there is a graphic novel version based on this translation which I highly recommend owning a copy of especially you're a fan of manga style art.

17th Century Wisdom Still Applies

A master of not only the martial arts, but other arts and philosophy imparts a framework of wisdom for how to approach not only combat, but life writ large. an easy and moving read/listen.