Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel“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. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
answered army asked attack battle began boat brother called camp Cao Cao Cao’s capital chapter Cheng commanders continued court cried death Dong Zhuo dynasty Emperor empire forces give Guan Xing guard hands head Heaven hills hold honor horse Huang hundred imperial Jiang Jingzhou kill king Kongming Kongming’s Lady land later leave Liang Liu Biao Liu Xuande look Lord Guan master military Ming minister move never night northern novel officials once ordered passed present received remain replied reported responded returned river Riverlands rule sent serve Shan Shao Sima soldiers Song southern Southland Sun Quan sword thousand Three Kingdoms took troops turned Wang Xuande Xuande’s Yuan Zhang Fei Zhao Zilong Zhou Yu