Zheng He

Zheng He is a historical novel by Dr Matt Buttsworth about the life of one of the most fascinating men in world history. Captured by the Chinese army as a young boy, castrated to become a eunoch and the future emperor’s playmate, he rose to become a successful general and one of the greatest admirals in the history of the world who led gigantic Chinese fleets to Vietnam, Java, Sri Lanka, India, Saudi Arabia, and the east coast of Africa. China was at this time the world leader in all aspects of maritime technology.

And yet, at the peak of his unparalleled success, the decision was made to destroy his Great Fleet. Why? This is the gripping story of Zheng He's life. And Fate.

And why, at the peak of its maritime success, the Emperor of China made the fatal decision to retreat from the seas.


Dr Matt Buttsworth is an expert on Chinese and World History.  His fiction books include the nuclear thriller Peace and The Cyclist an autobiographical short story collection.

His non-fiction books include the Polarshift - Genghiz Khan, China and the Rise and Fall of the West and Eden and the Fall.

Dr Matt Buttsworth his currently writing a trilogy of historical novels about the Portuguese discovery and conquest of the trade routes of the Indian Ocean.