The Art of War
Translations of the book were first read in Japan and Korea. The oldest copy from Japan dates to the 8th century. It was translated into French in 1772 by a Jesuit named Jean Joseph Marie Amiot. The first translation into English was published by Lionel Giles in 1910. The Art of War was first translated into Russian in 1950. The Russians' knowledge of French culture makes it probable that they had copies in French much earlier.