“A material epic with an astonishing fidelity to history."—New York Times Book Review Three Kingdoms tells the story of the fateful last reign of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220), when the Chinese empire was divided into three warring kingdoms. Writing some twelve hundred years later, the Ming author Luo Guanzhong drew on histories, dramas, and poems portraying the crisis to fashion a sophisticated, compelling narrative that has become the Chinese national epic. This abridged edition captures the novel's intimate and unsparing view of how power is wielded, how diplomacy is conducted, and how wars are planned and fought. As important for Chinese culture as the Homeric epics have been for the West, this Ming dynasty masterpiece continues to be widely influential in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam and remains a great work of world literature.

One of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, the historical novel ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ is attributed to Luo Guanzhong, a fourteenth century playwright. The narrative is set against the picturesque backdrop of the turbulent years at the end of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, starting in 184 AD and culminating with the reunification of the land in 280 by Western Jin. It is among the most beloved works of literature in East Asia and its literary influence in the region has been compared to that of the works of Shakespeare on English literature. Part historical, part fictional, the novel dramatises the lives of feudal lords and their retainers, who seek to restore the glories of the dwindling Han dynasty. This eBook presents the complete Charles Henry Brewitt-Taylor translation, with numerous illustrations, a concise introduction and valuable resources. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to the novel * Concise introduction to the text * All 120 chapters translated in English by Charles Henry Brewitt-Taylor (1925) * Features a special resources section with character lists, maps, timelines and other important study aids * Excellent formatting of the text * Easily locate the sections you want to read * Includes the bonus text of Herbert A. Giles’ seminal study of Chinese literature CONTENTS: The Novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms The Resources Historical Character List for ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ Timeline of the Three Kingdoms Period Maps of the Three Kingdoms A History of Chinese Literature (1901) by Herbert A. Giles

Romance of the Three Kingdoms, attributed to Luo Guanzhong, is a historical novel set in the turbulent years towards the end of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, starting in 169 AD and ending with the reunification of the land in 280. The story - part historical, part legend, and part mythical - romanticises and dramatises the lives of feudal lords and their retainers, who tried to replace the dwindling Han dynasty or restore it. While the novel follows hundreds of characters, the focus is mainly on the three power blocs that emerged from the remnants of the Han dynasty, and would eventually form the three states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The novel deals with the plots, personal and military battles, intrigues, and struggles of these states to achieve dominance for almost 100 years. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is acclaimed as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature; it has a total of 800,000 words and nearly a thousand dramatic characters (mostly historical) in 120 chapters. The novel is among the most beloved works of literature in East Asia.

A new translation and abridgement of one of the four classical Chinese novels - an epic story of warring factions in the era of China's Han dynasty Part historical and part legend, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms dramatizes the lives of feudal lords and their retainers, recounting their personal and military battles, intrigues, and struggles to achieve dominance for almost a hundred years. It is one of the most beloved works of East Asian literature, and the most famous historical novel in China.

"The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide..." The Han dynasty is falling, the rebels and warlords fight each other for the hegemony in China. Who will bring peace to these lands? Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is one of the four great Chinese classical novels. Discover it in this new edition with 240 Qing dynasty illustrations, maps and footnotes.

This exciting new translation of the Chinese classic is designed to delight modern readers. The Three Kingdoms is an epic Chinese novel written over six centuries ago. It recounts in vivid historical detail the turbulent years at the close of the Han Dynasty when China broke into three competing kingdoms and over half the population was killed or driven from their homes. readers will experience the loyalty and treachery, the brotherhood and rivalry of China's legendary heroes and villains during the most tumultuous period in Chinese history. Part myth, part reality, The Three Kingdoms is considered the most significant work in classic Chinese literature. Many Chinese people view it not only as a work of art but also as a moral guide to success in life and business. Foreigners often read it to gain insights into Chinese society and culture. From the saga of The Three Kingdoms, readers will learn how great warriors motivated their troops and enhanced their influence while disguising their weaknesses and turning the strengths of others against them. Complete with footnotes and a detailed character list, this readable new edition is sure to thrill today's readers from all over the world. Full of dramatic twists and turns, this third volume offers an exciting conclusion to the tale of Liu Bei, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

"The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide..." The Han dynasty is falling, the rebels and warlords fight each other for the hegemony in China. Who will bring peace to these lands? Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is one of the four great Chinese classical novels. Discover it in this new edition with 240 Qing dynasty illustrations, maps and footnotes.

A wonderfully enjoyable storehouse of ancient Chinese history and legends, which also has an important role in understanding 21st-century China 'And remember: Heaven's blessing will cease forever if there's despair and poverty in your lands' The Most Venerable Book (also known as The Book of History) is one of the Five Classics, a key work of Chinese literature which preserves some of the most ancient and dramatic chronicles of the history, both real and mythological, of the Chinese state. For many centuries it was a central work for anyone wishing to work for the Imperial administration, preserving as it does a fascinating mixture of key Confucian concepts as well as page after page of heroes, benevolent rulers, sagacious ministers, and struggles against flood, corruption and vicious, despotic rulers. The First Emperor tried in 213 BC to have all copies of the book destroyed because of its subversive implication that 'the Mandate of Heaven' could be withdrawn from rulers who failed their people. For similar reasons it was also banned by Chairman Mao. Extraordinarily, the values of The Most Venerable Book have been revived by the Chinese government of the 2010s.

This collection of tales opens up a magical world far from our customary haunts. Ghost stories, romances, fables, and heroic sagas: the forms are familiar, but the characters we meet surprise us at every turn. For those who know and love the tales of the Grimms and Andersen, the universal themes of fairy tale literature emerge in these classic stories, but with a sophistication that is uniquely Chinese and altogether entrancing. With black-and-white drawings throughout Part of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library