Go Rin No Sho
 

This is a very short work by Miyamoto Musashi, written in 1645. Thanks to NDD and x_SF_med for the recommendation. I join in their praise of the book.

Although this is not explicitly stated in the book, Musashi was a great Samurai warrior. The book is Musashi's attempt to outline the Way of Strategy (which I believe also might be translated as the Art of War, but perhaps someone from 1st Group would like to weigh in . . .) from the viewpoint of his Ichi school. I would put this book in the same genre as Sun Tzu's Art of War -- it is some deep stuff. As Musashi says over and over in the book, it is something to be studied, not something to be read.

My copy is only 49 pages and I finished it quickly. I do intend to spend more time with it, but now I am reading KOBK by COL Applegate.

The Book of Five Rings
 

Good call RL!

Which one did you get?

I have had this one since around 1986 and it looks a bit rough.

I have the Shambala Press version - great commentary, also includes letters and notes by other Japanese warriors of the time.

I have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Rin-No-Sho-...e=UTF8&s=books

Great Book
 

I received this book when I was a Sophomore in High School. I haven't read it in quite a while, but it really impacted my outlook on life and how to handle challenges. The "No design, no conception" ideal, and how a person's actions determines others' reactions to them has stuck with me these many years.

This is a great book and I highly recommend it.

Miyamoto Musashi is definitely a great example of someone in pursuit of perfection, and coming as close as anyone has to achieving it.