Arguably the greatest Emperor in Chinese history, Tang Taizong (598-649 AD) defeated the descendants of Attila the Hun, opened up the Silk Road trading route, and allowed Christianity and Islam into China for the first time, as well as introducing Buddhism into Tibet. In the tradition of The Art of War, Chinghua Tang here presents conversations between Taizong and his advisers that reveal core aspects of leadership, among them: how to enhance organizational effectiveness, the art of self-appraisal and assessing one's enemies, gaining power and influence without losing the respect of others, and how to craft a legacy. "Deep, dazzling…. A little masterpiece, ancient in its origin but full of wisdom for the 21st century."—Dan Rather