author
active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
Best known as the traditional author of The Art of War, this ancient Chinese strategist has shaped ideas about conflict, leadership, and planning for centuries. Even so, the details of his life remain partly hidden behind legend, which only adds to his fascination.
4 Audiobooks
The Art of War
by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
The Art of War
by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
The Book of War: The Military Classic of the Far East The Articles of Suntzu; The Sayings of Wutzu
by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi, Qi Wu
Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World
by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
About the author
Tradition identifies Sunzi, often known in English as Sun Tzu, as a military general and strategist who served the state of Wu during China’s Spring and Autumn period. He is closely associated with The Art of War, a short but enormously influential classic on warfare, statecraft, and strategy.
Modern reference works agree that he is a semi-legendary figure: ancient accounts place him around the late 6th or early 5th century BCE, but scholars have long debated how much of the book can be tied to one historical person. Because of that uncertainty, it is safest to say that Sunzi is the reputed or traditional author rather than to treat every detail of his biography as certain.
What is certain is the reach of the work linked to his name. The Art of War has traveled far beyond its original military setting and continues to be read for its sharp thinking about preparation, deception, timing, discipline, and winning with the least waste possible.