China during the Three Kingdoms period (read the highly acclaimed novel free)

[pc4th]

For those that is interested in China history and especially about the Three Kingdoms period, you can read or download 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' free translation here.

You can download it 1.8 MB (http://threekingdoms.com/download.htm) or read it online. (http://threekingdoms.com/ )

Remember to see the map regularly to get the location of the story. The story is fiction but it is based on real history. So I guess if there is a genre for it, it would be known as historical fiction.

Basically, it's about the breakup of the Han Dynasty and the formations of Three Kingdoms. It's arguably the most well-known novel in Asia along with the Journey to the West.

I read it and I loved it. Check it out.

Excerpt from first chapter

Domains under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity. When the rule of the Zhou Dynasty weakened, seven contending kingdoms sprang up, warring one with another until the kingdom of Qin prevailed and possessed the empire. But when Qin's destiny had been fulfilled, arose two opposing kingdoms, Chu and Han, to fight for the mastery. And Han was the victor.

The rise of the fortunes of Han began when Liu Bang the Supreme Ancestor slew a white serpent to raise the banners of uprising, which only ended when the whole empire belonged to Han (BC 202). This magnificent heritage was handed down in successive Han emperors for two hundred years, till the rebellion of Wang Mang caused a disruption. But soon Liu Xiu the Latter Han Founder restored the empire, and Han emperors continued their rule for another two hundred years till the days of Emperor Xian, which were doomed to see the beginning of the empire's division into three parts, known to history as The Three Kingdoms.

For the history of China before the Three Kingdoms period, read the Outlines of China History from Mythology to the Three Kingdoms http://threekingdoms.com/history.htm

7.3.g. Decline of the Eastern Han: The Eastern Han Dynasty entered upon a period of decline for the reason stated in the last section. When there was a woman on the throne, the usurpation of power by eunuchs and her own relatives was inevitable. This was no less true of the Latter Han than of the Former Han, though there is this much difference. During the former dynasty, the two parties always worked hand in hand; during the latter dynasty, they were constantly engaged in bringing ruin to one another. In the main, the eunuchs were masters of the situation, and their extermination was followed by the downfall of the dynasty only a few years later. But in this downfall arose the panoramic, dramatic period: THE THREE KINGDOMS.

http://threekingdoms.com/map1.gif
http://threekingdoms.com/map1tk.gif
Map of Wei, Wu, and Shu
The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. London: Cambridge University Press, 1996, p. 87.
Most battles raged within the circles, and therefore Wei appears to hold the most land.

[dreamer]

For those that is interested in China history and especially about the Three Kingdoms period, you can read or download 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' free translation here.

You can download it 1.8 MB (http://threekingdoms.com/download.htm) or read it online. (http://threekingdoms.com/ )

Remember to see the map regularly to get the location of the story. The story is fiction but it is based on real history. So I guess if there is a genre for it, it would be known as historical fiction.

Basically, it's about the breakup of the Han Dynasty and the formations of Three Kingdoms. It's arguably the most well-known novel in Asia along with the Journey to the West.

I read it and I loved it. Check it out.

Excerpt from first chapter

Domains under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity. When the rule of the Zhou Dynasty weakened, seven contending kingdoms sprang up, warring one with another until the kingdom of Qin prevailed and possessed the empire. But when Qin's destiny had been fulfilled, arose two opposing kingdoms, Chu and Han, to fight for the mastery. And Han was the victor.

The rise of the fortunes of Han began when Liu Bang the Supreme Ancestor slew a white serpent to raise the banners of uprising, which only ended when the whole empire belonged to Han (BC 202). This magnificent heritage was handed down in successive Han emperors for two hundred years, till the rebellion of Wang Mang caused a disruption. But soon Liu Xiu the Latter Han Founder restored the empire, and Han emperors continued their rule for another two hundred years till the days of Emperor Xian, which were doomed to see the beginning of the empire's division into three parts, known to history as The Three Kingdoms.

For the history of China before the Three Kingdoms period, read the Outlines of China History from Mythology to the Three Kingdoms http://threekingdoms.com/history.htm

7.3.g. Decline of the Eastern Han: The Eastern Han Dynasty entered upon a period of decline for the reason stated in the last section. When there was a woman on the throne, the usurpation of power by eunuchs and her own relatives was inevitable. This was no less true of the Latter Han than of the Former Han, though there is this much difference. During the former dynasty, the two parties always worked hand in hand; during the latter dynasty, they were constantly engaged in bringing ruin to one another. In the main, the eunuchs were masters of the situation, and their extermination was followed by the downfall of the dynasty only a few years later. But in this downfall arose the panoramic, dramatic period: THE THREE KINGDOMS.

http://threekingdoms.com/map1.gif
http://threekingdoms.com/map1tk.gif
Map of Wei, Wu, and Shu
The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. London: Cambridge University Press, 1996, p. 87.
Most battles raged within the circles, and therefore Wei appears to hold the most land.


A true epic. Zhao Yun is my favorite character, for his bravery and loyalty.

[pc4th]

A true epic. Zhao Yun is my favorite character, for his bravery and loyalty.

Yeah, it is an amazing epic. I wish I could see the TV series of it one day. I know there is an anime one for it as well as several Chinese, HK, Taiwanese TV series version.

[argentine soccer fan]

Excerpt from first chapter

Domains under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity. When the rule of the Zhou Dynasty weakened, seven contending kingdoms sprang up, warring one with another until the kingdom of Qin prevailed and possessed the empire. But when Qin's destiny had been fulfilled, arose two opposing kingdoms, Chu and Han, to fight for the mastery. And Han was the victor.





Is this the very first paragraph? For some reason it reminds me of the famous opening paragraph of 'A Tale of Two Cities'. I definitely will have to read this novel.

[argentine soccer fan]

That Tsao Tsao was a sneaky mother********er.

[dreamer]

That Tsao Tsao was a sneaky mother********er.

Cao Cao is indeed widely disliked by the readers of this book.

ASF I assume you're not reading the Chinese version. Which version are you reading?

From the link in the first message,

Moss Roberts (Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel): The English translation of ROTK by Moss Roberts is the best translation I have ever seen. It is more enjoyable than the original Chinese text, I truly agree. Here is the one reason: Professor Roberts provides us 250 extra pages of notes, which come from various sources, from both history and traditions. I have read a few original texts, and the editions I read do not give as much information. Beside notes, Professor Roberts also supplies several useful maps of battles. One advantage of this translation is that it is new, and therefore, it uses the modern Pinyin name system (names like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan---those names are used in games, too).

I'd agree with that, especially if you also plan to play the game, which is wildly popular in the whole Asia.

[argentine soccer fan]

Cao Cao is indeed widely disliked by the readers of this book.

ASF I assume you're not reading the Chinese version. Which version are you reading?



No, I cannot read Chinese. I can speak a little. (Adequate in social situations, but I need an interpreter to do serious business.)

The version I am reading was translated by C.H. Brewitt-Taylor. Is it considered any good? I am really enjoying it.

In some ways it feels almost like rediscovering the Illiad and the Oddisey, minus the Gods.

[dreamer]

The version I am reading was translated by C.H. Brewitt-Taylor. Is it considered any good?

I await your report on that. :D

But since it's Tsao Tsao, not Cao Cao as in the game, I assume you're reading something that predates modern Pinyin. There's nothing wrong with that except you may find yourself in a maze of confusion when you try to discuss this book with other people who have read the newer versions or when you want to play the game, because as you know, there are about 1 million different names in this book, Chinese names. :D

[Calexico77]

I was more of a Nobunaga's Ambition man myself. . .

[pc4th]

Is this the very first paragraph? For some reason it reminds me of the famous opening paragraph of 'A Tale of Two Cities'. I definitely will have to read this novel.

Yup, that's the first paragraph of this epic. Read it free from the link or find a better translation from your local library or bookstore.

For those that like to read about battles/wars/conquest etc....this is the book for you.

[dreamer]

You can download it 1.8 MB (http://threekingdoms.com/download.htm)

or read it online. (http://threekingdoms.com/ )



The Chinese version online,

http://www.mypcera.com/book/gu/4/sgyy/

[Excape Goat]

Guys, I prefred the PC games.

[minorthreat]

Yup, that's the first paragraph of this epic. Read it free from the link or find a better translation from your local library or bookstore.

For those that like to read about battles/wars/conquest etc....this is the book for you.I would also highly recommend Sui Hu Zhuan.

[Txtriathlete]

Im interested, can someone post a link to an amazon available version that they would recommend?
Ill rep you for your trouble :)

[dreamer]

Im interested, can someone post a link to an amazon available version that they would recommend?
Ill rep you for your trouble :)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/7119005901/qid=1132094240/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-9558131-6102239?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/7119005901.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Txtriathlete]

Thank you so much. You shall be repped.

[pc4th]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/7119005901/qid=1132094240/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-9558131-6102239?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/7119005901.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I might check it out if I have time. I heard this translation is the best.

The one that is available for free reading on the web is a very old translation according to http://threekingdoms.com/

C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (Romance of Three Kingdoms): The English translation of ROTK by Brewitt-Taylor is very old. Therefore, it uses the Yale name system (names like Tsao Tsao, Liu Pei, and Sun Chuan), which is less popular today. A disadvantage of this translation is that it does not provide background information like Roberts' version. This translation is like a pure novel, from page 1 to ending page---no maps, no notes. Furthermore, it has many errors that haven't got corrected since the first edition. With so many flaws, why should the readers be interested? Well, if you collect ROTK books like I do, you may want to buy several of them. But one important thing is that the translation of Brewitt-Taylor is very beautiful in literature style. The language in this version is fluid and suitable to ROTK, perhaps partly due to its old English.

So it might be more worthwhile to get the 'better' translation. Also, for those that like epic/battles/knights/lords...etc, read the historical fiction Triology by Henryk Sienkiewicz, W. S. Kuniczak (Translator); Hardcover

With Fire and Sword
The Deluge
Fire in the Steppe

Pan Michael

Here's a review of the first book of the Trilogy

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth still controlled eastern Europe in 1647, but during that year everything changed. The first sparks appeared in the Ukraine, where a domestic dispute between Bohdan Hmyelnitzki and his neighbor mushroomed into a full-blown Cossack rebellion against the gentry. Long-smoldering resentments flashed into a wildfire of rape, pillage, and murder as the peasants joined the Cossack army and fought their way toward Warsaw, bringing with them the dreaded hordes of Tartars from the east. Fighting in this epic conflict, Yan Skshetuski, commander of armored knights in the prince's army, falls in love with the beautiful Helen, only to have her stolen by the Cossacks. Thus, the string of ensuing battles becomes not just a struggle for Poland's survival but a search by Skshetuski and his fellow knights for Helen, the symbol of all Poland was and now stands to lose. With Fire and Sword , the first installment of Sienkiewicz's "Trilogy," will take its place beside such works as the Iliad as one of the great pieces of epic literature. The Polish author, winner of the 1905 Nobel Prize for Literature, captures the historical essence of a culture in eclipse, expressing it through characters at once larger than life and engagingly human. While his Quo Vadis? is widely known, until now the "Trilogy" has been virtually unread outside Poland because it lacked a readable translation and was suppressed by Poland's Communist government. However, Kuniczak's magnificent rendition now offers this literary gem to a wide audience. As the next two volumes appear, the applause will surely grow. Most highly recommended.
- Paul E. Hutchison, Pequea, Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

I read it last year and it was awsome. Like Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this Trilogy is also based on historical facts.

[ratdog]

Since I do not read Chinese, I cannot comment on the strictly literary merits of the book's writing style or phrasing. I can only say that I enjoyed "Journey to the West" and "Outlaws of the Marsh" better when I read them in translation. I found "Journey" and "Outlaws" to be more lively, funny and the characters more entertaining than "Three Kingdoms". I found both "Three Kingdoms" and "Dream of Red Mansions" to each be much like a Wagner opera: a series of short interesting episodes sandwiched between long stretches of boredom. But that's just my personal reaction. YMMV.

[ForzaGrifo]

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a definitely must-read for anyone who's interested in warfare strategies/tactics, politics, human psychology, or Chinese history.

I disagree with the poster above. I don't find it has long stretches of boredom. But it does have large number of characters so some of you might find it hard to stomach.