>>3 It's also what ignorant people dismiss because it's complicated.
The art of war is interesting - It less of a book and more of a compiled list of proverbs and metaphors/examples that probably shouldn't be taken literally so much as contemplated and then applied conceptually.
The Art of War is definitely a well written book, and can very easily be applied to management positions of any sort - And if you can manage to scale it down, it is entirely possible to apply it to yourself.
I'd recommend Miyamoto Mushashi's Go Rin No Sho/Book of the Five Rings if you're looking for something more personal to apply on a smaller scale/self improvement however.
Both of them are marvelous books.
Good job, Maru-Kai.