A photo in the book shows one of the many death-defying stunts Chan performed in his movies. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"He has friends all over the world, and wherever he goes, he goes with a bunch of people, and talks of his adventures once he's in good mood," writes Zhu Mo, the former PR director of Huayi Brothers Media Group who co-authored the book. "In 2013, I asked him if I could write his stories down and make it a book. He answered right away, 'You can give it a try'."

For the rest of the year, Zhu followed Chan, listened to his stories and noted them down. Chan would then double-check the draft. But because of Chan's tight schedule, and the fact Zhu moved to the UK in 2014, writing the book dragged on until January.

When Chan asked for recommendations for the book, more than 140 celebrities and stars responded warmly, including Chinese Nobel laureate Mo Yan, entrepreneur Jack Ma, former NBA star Yao Ming and world-acclaimed director Zhang Yimo.

"My life has always been boisterous... And at times I almost forgot who I am until Zhu started to write about me," writes Chan in the back of the book. "As I told my stories to her, I came to realize that this is the man I am."

"This man is not the one on the big screens, neither is he the one in the news. I want you to know him."