active 6th century B.C. Sunzi

Often known in the West as Sun Tzu, Sunzi is traditionally described as a military strategist and general associated with the state of Wu in ancient China, near the end of the Spring and Autumn period. He is credited with writing The Art of War, a short but hugely influential work on warfare, planning, deception, discipline, and the careful use of force.

Modern scholars do not agree on how much can be known for certain about his life. While the traditional account places him in the 6th century B.C., the text itself is usually understood to have taken shape later, with its earliest layers dating to the late Spring and Autumn or Warring States period. That uncertainty has only added to Sunzi’s mystique, making him both a historical figure and a legendary one.

What keeps Sunzi fresh is how readable and practical the work remains. The Art of War is concise, direct, and full of memorable ideas about judgment, preparation, and winning with the least waste possible, which is why it has been read not only by soldiers and rulers, but also by readers interested in politics, business, and strategy of all kinds.