Not much is known about the author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu, or “Master Sun.” He is supposed to have lived around 500 BCE in China, where he was either a general or an advisor. Researchers, however, believe his book was enlarged a century later by a second author, Sun Bin, who may have combined Sun Tzu’s work and his own. Thus, “Sun Tzu” may be a pseudonym that represents the collected work of two different writers. Either way, the book became a celebrated work of Chinese military literature, and in 1080 CE it became the leading book in a collection of such works authorized by the government as classics. It has since been translated into many languages and studied by students at military academies and world political and military leaders. Sun Tzu’s lessons also apply to other competitive areas such as commerce, and his book remains popular among business leaders. 

Also referred to as the commander or the leader, the general controls the army, makes strategic and many tactical decisions before and during battle, inspires the troops with wisdom and spirit, keeps them disciplined and unified in purpose, and teaches the officers techniques of tactical adaptation to changing conditions in the field.