The Book of Five Rings

I read Miyamoto Musashi's "Go Rin No Sho" today on the recommendation of a complete stranger. Musashi can be thought of as a bit like Japan's version of Sun Tzu -- a famed and legendary character that shaped the face of warriors and strategists for hundreds of years.


The book's main concern is Strategy and the way of sword fighting (often considered synonymous in Eastern culture). It is divided into 5 short sub-texts: Groud, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void.

"Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men" - Musashi, The Book of Water

Translations can be found online here or here, and can be purchased in most book stores.