Thunder in the Sky: Secrets on the Acquisition and Exercise of Power

reviewed this product many times. I buy copies for my taichi students. An excellent introduction to the philosophy and history behind the culture.

The Chinese classic "The Master of Demon Valley" was written around 500BC (similar time to the Sun-Tzu's Art of War). It's associated with an obscure school of thought known as Tsung-heng hseuh, which could be read as "the learning of freedom of thought and action". The extract below ends the text and gives a taste of the book. "The Master of the Hidden Storehouse" follows it."That is why petty people imitating others will use this in a perverse and sinister way, even getting to the point where they can destroy families and usurp countries.Without wisdom and knowledge, you cannot preserve your home with justice and cannot preserve your country with the Way. The reason sages value the subtlety of the Way is true because it can change peril into safety, rescue the ruined and enable them to survive"For more like this see: bilalhafeez.com

An excellent book for any martial arts student interested in the art of conflict, business people in the art of business and psychological strategy.Learn the art of winning a fight without fighting.Thomas Cleary books are a must have.

To find out more of Zen wisdom. I usually read these books twice. Once to underline and then re-read and absorb.

With time and discipline, this sort fo knowledge can be very beneficial to man, but in the wrong hands...Could be used for the wrong purposes. "Thunder in the Sky" is on the exercise of power based on Taoist principles. How to wield it, how to get it, how to manipulate people, and all the rest. The book is written at a high level, almost a book of wise facts. I'm sure there are better books with specific knowledge on power; But as a general primer on the subject, this book does a good job. I agree with the other reader that this book is not a direct translation of the original material...but I'm not an academic or a purist in that sense. I didn't care that there was a lot of Mr Cleary's own wording in places. Lastly, its obvious that you really need a good scholar on the subject to teach this book to you. There are too many areas where I could tell there was a mountain buried under 1 sentance. But don't let that stop you from reading this book. I would recommend this book as a good starting place on the whole subject of power/management/diplomacy.