<P> The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Spring and Autumn period in 5th century BC . The work , which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu ( `` Master Sun '' , also spelled Sunzi ) , is composed of 13 chapters . Each one is devoted to a distinct aspect of warfare and how that applies to military strategy and tactics . For almost 1,500 years it was the lead text in an anthology that would be formalised as the Seven Military Classics by Emperor Shenzong of Song in 1080 . The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asia . It has a profound influence on Eastern and Western military thinking , business tactics , legal strategy and beyond . </P>
who was the author of the art of war
Sun Tzu