Product Description

ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS is Lo Kuan-chung's retelling of the events attending the fall of the Han Dynasty in 220 AD, one of the most tumultuous and fascinating periods in Chinese history. It is an epic saga of brotherhood and rivalry, loyalty and treachery, victory and death. As important for Chinese culture as the Homeric epics have been for the West, this fourteenth-century masterpiece is still loved and read throughout Asia.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35599 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03
• Original language: Mandarin Chinese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 680 pages

Customer Reviews

good but difficult
I first bought this book because i enjoyed dynasty warriors and the exciting chinese history of betrayal, loyalty, and power. First off this book is very long, It is not the easiest read because it has been translated. and the writing seems like it was done like it was homework the writing is very formal and not exactly in the moment breathtaking. The bnames aren't directly translated like dynasty warriors. Instead of Z's they use C's e.g Zhang Fei in dynasty warriors becomes Chang Fei. Guan Yu becomes Kuan Yu etc.
The book jumps from one bit to next without a clear division between each, at the end of some scenes, there is a short poem as well recounting the events which is cool. I reccomend this to big fans of dynasty warriors and chines history. This is not for the casual reader or young. I think its better for the more mature, older, and someone who has lots of patience.

Beats Iliad
As a military history fan I picked up this book several months ago and I must say it's one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Romance of three kingdoms focus on arguably the most chaotic and ruthless period of the acient China (220-280 AD), shortly after the collapse of eastern Han dynasty, over a dozen warlords rose to power in the name of 'Restoration of Han', this book is based on three major power, Shu, Wei, Wu and their constant struggle for power. Instead on focusing on warfare itself, this book gives absolutely brilliant account on deceptions, trickery, use of intelligence, as well as cunning diplomatic solutions behind the warfares. Clearly, Sun Tzu's Art of war has infulenced the author greatly.

The only problem about the book is the character names, as the translated Chinese names seem to running to each other every two paragraphs, it takes alot of memorization. But if you have the patience, it will pay off soon.

However, some famous battles mentioned in this novel was not well chronicled, it's highly likely many historical details are simply made up. And the purpose of Shu is probably not as noble as the book portrayed. But as a novel, it's unparalleled.

Read, if you want to know what deception means.

As good as the first!
Although it's not a made up story it still gives a proper over view of the whole situation in China around 200AD.
The characters, now aging begin to die off as battles are lost and health grows worse. This story tells of how the succesors took over and how their contribution to the era brought the total destruction of the Han and the rise of the Wei, then Jin dynasties.
A very good follow up from the first book and an essential for owners of Volume 1.