Before he became the legendary author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu was a quiet boy named Sun Wu, with sharp eyes and deep questions. Born into a noble family in ancient Qi, he watched as truth-tellers were silenced and principled generals cast aside. Determined to change the fate of nations, he walked away from comfort and into the mountains, where he began crafting a philosophy that would shape history.
Told in vivid, accessible language with side-by-side Chinese and English, this book brings Sun Tzu’s journey to life—from his youth and exile to his rise as a military advisor who won battles not just with swords, but with wisdom. Ideal for readers young and old, it’s both a gripping narrative and an unforgettable introduction to the man behind the world’s most enduring book of strategy.
The story is told using only 760 different Chinese words, most of which are in the HSK3 vocabulary. It includes pinyin, an English translation, and glossary of all words used.
A free audiobook is available on YouTube, on the Imagin8 Press channel.