Sun Tzu and the more primitive small-scale battles that many believe predominated in China during the 6th century BC. Against this, Sawyer argues that the teachings of Sun Wu were probably taught to succeeding generations in his family or a small school of disciples, which eventually included Sun Bin. These descendants or students may have revised or expanded upon certain points in the original text. Skeptics who identify issues with the traditionalist view point to possible anachronisms in "The Art of War" including terms, technology (such as anachronistic crossbows and the unmentioned cavalry), philosophical ideas, events, and military techniques that should not
The Book of the New Sun sub-series. The two later subseries are "The Book of the Long Sun" (1993–1996, four volumes) and "The Book of the Short Sun" (1999–2001, three volumes). "Long Sun" is set on a generation ship and "Short Sun" features the inhabitants of that generation ship after their long journey. Two of the "Long Sun" books were nominated for Nebula Awards. Severian, an apprentice in the torturers' guild, barely survives a swim in the River Gyoll. On his way back to the Citadel Severian and several other apprentices sneak into a necropolis where Severian first encounters Vodalus, the legendary revolutionary. Vodalus, along with