The Art of War, active 6th century B.C. Sunzi

The Art of War

active 6th century B.C. Sunzi

Level
B2
Genre
Essays
Words
54,581
Chapters
13
First published
-500
Reading time
about 6 hours
Translation
instant AI translation as you read

Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary

English books for B2 level (upper intermediate) · Essays in English for learners, with translation

Attributed to the ancient strategist Sunzi, this compact treatise explains how to win wars through planning, deception, and knowledge of terrain and enemy. Its thirteen chapters cover tactics, spies, and leadership. The aphoristic style delivers memorable principles in few words. Short sections and clear logic make it ideal for English learners who want practical reading.

Learn English with The Art of War

  • Suits learners around level B2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
  • Who it suits: a long, demanding classic (B2), for confident readers, or for B1 to B2 readers with the translation on.
  • 6,521 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
  • Translation into Russian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish or Arabic, aligned to every sentence, shown under the text or beside it.
  • Read-aloud audio for every chapter, with the current sentence highlighted as it is read.
  • Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.

How it works

  1. Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
  2. Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
  3. Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.

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Questions about this book

Can I read The Art of War in English for free?

Yes. The first chapters of The Art of War open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.

How much English do I need?

The text is estimated at level B2. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.

Is there audio?

Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.

Is The Art of War available in Russian?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Russian translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Russian whenever you need to.

Is The Art of War available in Spanish?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Spanish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Spanish whenever you need to.

Is The Art of War available in Brazilian Portuguese?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Brazilian Portuguese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Brazilian Portuguese whenever you need to.

Is The Art of War available in Japanese?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Japanese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Japanese whenever you need to.

Is The Art of War available in Chinese?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Chinese translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Chinese whenever you need to.

Is The Art of War available in Turkish?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Turkish translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Turkish whenever you need to.

Is The Art of War available in Arabic?

Yes. On Booklern the English text of The Art of War is shown with its Arabic translation under every sentence, so you read the original and check the Arabic whenever you need to.

Can I download The Art of War as a PDF or EPUB?

Not from Booklern: the book is read online, in the browser, with nothing to download or install. Your place in the book is saved to your account.