The art of war is an interesting book, I would not to go as far as to say it is 'brilliant' but that it does hold some merit. It favours a non violent victory, and I think is more focused on espionage rather than outright conflict, as was very popular in Europe at the time. If you get the Samual B. Griffith translation, there is a case presented about the legitimicy of Sun Tzu. There is some belief that he was not infact a real person, but perhaps a name used for a collected series of articles.
I believe that the book still does have merit in todays society, as it is still required reading in China, and is even utilized by many savy buisness men. The only downside is that it is not a how to guide, but merely a text presenting snipits of strategy.
