China at the beginning of the 20th century, despite her large area and population and her ancient civilization, was a second-rate power, victim of domestic tyranny and foreign exploitation. Sun Yat-Sen dedicated his life to abolishing Manchu dynasty and restoring China to her former greatness.

Born in rural southern China, Sun Yat-Sen was twelve before he had contact with the outside world. Joining his successful older brother in Hawaii, he learned of the power and progress of the west. By the time he returned to China four years later, young Sun was convinced that only dramatic change could save his country.

Though trained as a doctor, Sun came to be the key figure in a secret organization sworn to overthrow the Manchus. Soon he was in exile, hunted by Manchu agents and assassins as he toured America, Europe and Asia in search of support. Again and again uprisings in China were crushed. Then, in 1912, the Manchus surrendered and Sun Yat-Sen returned to proclaim the Republic of China. Yet with this triumph, his greatest challenge began. 

Until his death in 1925, Sun Yat-Sen battled without thought of personal wealth or position to unify a badly divided nation and defeat those who would betray the revolution's democratic ideals. China has known many revered figures in her long history, but today none overshadows the gentle, modest, indefatigable doctor who woke her from the sleep of centuries to take her place in the modern world.

From the book