The Book of Five Rings: The New Illustrated Edition Paperback – 22 Feb. 2021

Miyamoto Musashi’s The Book of Five Rings is a classic guide on strategy, discipline, and the mindset of a warrior. Written in 1645 by one of Japan’s greatest swordsmen, this book extends beyond martial arts, offering insights applicable to business, leadership, and personal growth.Key Lessons• Strategy is mindset-driven – Success comes from awareness, adaptability, and discipline rather than just technique.• Fluidity over rigidity – Just as a warrior must adjust in battle, one must embrace change in life and business.• Simplicity and efficiency – Avoid unnecessary actions; clarity and precision lead to victory.• Mastery takes lifelong learning – Repetition, reflection, and real-world experience build true expertise.Pros & Cons✔ Timeless wisdom – Still relevant for strategy, leadership, and self-discipline.✔ Short yet profound – Packed with deep insights in a concise format.✔ Broad applications – Useful beyond martial arts, including business and personal development.❌ Abstract language – Can feel cryptic without historical or philosophical context.❌ Requires interpretation – Not a step-by-step guide; demands personal reflection.Final VerdictThe Book of Five Rings is a must-read for anyone interested in strategy, philosophy, or self-mastery. While its lessons require interpretation, its wisdom is timeless and invaluable for those seeking growth in any field.Final Score: 9/10 – A powerful guide to strategy and discipline that rewards deep contemplation.

I recently delved into "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi, and it was quite the captivating journey into the mind of a legendary swordsman. Musashi's wisdom, distilled into these pages, is nothing short of remarkable.This book is a must-read for martial artists, strategists, and anyone seeking insights into the art of combat and life itself. Musashi's profound teachings on strategy, tactics, and the way of the warrior are presented in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to both beginners and seasoned practitioners.What prevents me from giving it a full 5 stars is the somewhat dated language and cultural references, which can be a tad challenging to grasp at times. However, the translator has done an admirable job in bridging this gap.In a world dominated by rapid technological advancements, "The Book of Five Rings" remains a timeless gem, reminding us of the enduring power of strategy, discipline, and the pursuit of mastery. It's a classic that deserves a place on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in martial arts, strategy, or personal development.

Great quality and fast delivery

First up, this is not a business book. A bit like The Art of War, it's a fish out of water with a few coincidental links to the management of your team. The military and business are not even close in terms of strategy and tactics, yet it seems that we can learn lots of usable examples of how to destroy your enemy and remove all emotions from the battle field of business, simply by reading a book based on feudal Japan.A decent enough read but as with many of these types of books, it's not based in any reality.

Top notch book, not going to become a samurai but can definitely use the ideas in the real world

What can be said of Gorin No Sho except that it can't be missed. Deceptively thin, one must read this book extremely slowly, covering the important parts two or three times over. While not directly linked to every life in the way a westerner would understand at first sight, the key is taking principles and concepts from the path of the warrior and applying them to your own path, whatever it may be. This is the kind of book that harvests respect when seen on a bookshelf, buy it and read it to your children when they come of age.

Can be difficult to digest and some of it needs time to fully digest and think how the Way as described can be applied to life now

As I read through the way of Miyamoto sword I could not help but imagine the practices in other aspects of life. The writer was clear, if you read the book or understand it then you have no learned the way. The way becomes part of you and your way. I found it interesting.