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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 7-119-01666-0
ISBN-13: 9787119016665
Publisher: Foreign Languages Press
Country: China
Year: January 1, 1997
Size: 13.79 x 20.80 x 3.61cm
Number of pages: 554
Weight: 699gr
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 7-119-01666-0
ISBN-13: 9787119016665
Publisher: Foreign Languages Press
Country: China
Year: January 1, 1997
Size: 13.79 x 20.80 x 3.61cm
Number of pages: 554
Weight: 699gr
Binding: Hardcover
editions
0.) Three Kingdoms
Lo Kuan-Chung, Moss Roberts (Eds.), Jung May Lee (illustrator)
Pantheon; 1977
Paperback
1.) Three Kingdoms
Kuan-Chung Lo, Guanzhong Luo, Moss Roberts
University of California Press; 1992
Hardcover
Guanzhong Luo (Lo Kuan-Chung), Moss Roberts (translator)
University of California Press; 1999
Paperback
5.) Three Kingdoms
Guanzhong Luo, Moss Roberts (translator)
University of California Press; 1999
Hardcover
6.) Three Kingdoms
Luo Guanzhong, Moss Roberts (translator)
University of California Press; 1999
Paperback
Luo Guanzhong, Guanzhong Luo, Moss Roberts (translator)
University of California Press; 2001
Paperback
Luo Guanzhong, Guanzhong Luo, Moss Roberts (translator)
University of California Press; 2001
Paperback
Luo Guanzhong, Lo Kuan-Chung
People's Literature Press; 2002
Paperback
Luo Guanzhong, Lo Kuan-Chung
People's Literature Press; 2001
Library Binding
Luo Guanzhong, Moss Roberts (translator)
Foreign Languages Press; 2000
Hardcover
16.) Three Kingdoms (5 Volumes)
Moss Roberts, Luo Guanzhong: Lo Kuan-Chung (translator)
CIPG; 2000
Paperback
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catalog
description
Product Description
The empire, Long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been." With this characterization of the inevitable cycle of Chinese history, the monumental tale Three Kingdoms begins. As important for Chinese culture as the Homeric epics have been for the West, this Ming dynasty masterpiece continues to be read and loved throughout China as well as in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The novel offers a startling and unsparing view of how power is wielded, how diplomacy is conducted, and how wars are planned and fought; it has influenced the ways that Chinese think about power, diplomacy, and war even to this day.
The empire, Long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been." With this characterization of the inevitable cycle of Chinese history, the monumental tale Three Kingdoms begins. As important for Chinese culture as the Homeric epics have been for the West, this Ming dynasty masterpiece continues to be read and loved throughout China as well as in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The novel offers a startling and unsparing view of how power is wielded, how diplomacy is conducted, and how wars are planned and fought; it has influenced the ways that Chinese think about power, diplomacy, and war even to this day.
Three Kingdoms portrays a fateful moment at the end of the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.220) When the future of the Chinese empire lay in the balance. Writing more than a millennium later, Luo Guanzhong drew on often-told tales of this turbulent period to fashion a sophisticated, compelling narrative, whose characters display vivid individuality and epic grandeur.
The story begins when the emperor, fearing uprisings by peasant rebels known as the Yellow Scarves, sends an urgent appeal to the provinces for popular support. In response, three young men-the aristocratic Liu Xuande, the fugitive Lord Guan, and the pig-butcher Zhang Fei-meet to pledge eternal brotherhood and fealty to their beleaguered government. From these events comes a chain of cause and consequence that leads ultimately to the collapse of the Han.
Moss Roberts's new translation provides for the first time an authoritative, annotated English-language version of this great and enduring work of world literature.
reviews
Very inaccessible classic. Dry translation. 
First off, I want to make it clear that I respect the people who love and enjoy this novel. I do not think that their opinion of it is somehow »wrong.« The following, however, has been my experience: Among East Asian classics, and among Chinese classics, this novel is one of the least accessible to the average English-speaking reader. The way in which the story is told is extremely dry and downright baffling to someone schooled in Western literature. The writing had no emotional resonance ever. The lack of emotional resonance is expected, seeing as there's very little description of anything beside physical occurrences, which are summarized in very succinct form. (i.e. Character 435 stabbed Character 762, then rode to [the city of] JFDFSDG and stabbed Character 953). This sort of sentence compromises the entire book. Basically, it reads like a reference work. It's not a »novel« as most western readers would be accustomed to thinking of one. Even if you're open to forms of literature that are drastically different from anything else you've read (as I was, going into this), you'll probably find yourself too exasperated by the novel to finish. It was really a painful experience for me. However, all is not lost for the person seeking an entry into Chinese literature. I recommend Dream of the Red Chamber as a good starting novel, especially the translation published by Penguin under the title »The Story of the Stone« (don't be discouraged by the alternative title, it's the same novel as Dream of the Red Chamber). Furthermore, Red Chamber was written in the late Qing, which makes it more relevant to the modern history and identity of the region we know as China. Those looking for older quality pieces of writing from East Asia as a whole may enjoy The Tale of Genji and The Tale of the Heike more than they would enjoy Three Kingdoms. Both »Genji« and »Heike« are lengthy novels of Japanese origin, with Genji often being considered the world's first written novel, and certainly the first in East Asia. To all, Good luck in your readings.
First off, I want to make it clear that I respect the people who love and enjoy this novel. I do not think that their opinion of it is somehow »wrong.« The following, however, has been my experience: Among East Asian classics, and among Chinese classics, this novel is one of the least accessible to the average English-speaking reader. The way in which the story is told is extremely dry and downright baffling to someone schooled in Western literature. The writing had no emotional resonance ever. The lack of emotional resonance is expected, seeing as there's very little description of anything beside physical occurrences, which are summarized in very succinct form. (i.e. Character 435 stabbed Character 762, then rode to [the city of] JFDFSDG and stabbed Character 953). This sort of sentence compromises the entire book. Basically, it reads like a reference work. It's not a »novel« as most western readers would be accustomed to thinking of one. Even if you're open to forms of literature that are drastically different from anything else you've read (as I was, going into this), you'll probably find yourself too exasperated by the novel to finish. It was really a painful experience for me. However, all is not lost for the person seeking an entry into Chinese literature. I recommend Dream of the Red Chamber as a good starting novel, especially the translation published by Penguin under the title »The Story of the Stone« (don't be discouraged by the alternative title, it's the same novel as Dream of the Red Chamber). Furthermore, Red Chamber was written in the late Qing, which makes it more relevant to the modern history and identity of the region we know as China. Those looking for older quality pieces of writing from East Asia as a whole may enjoy The Tale of Genji and The Tale of the Heike more than they would enjoy Three Kingdoms. Both »Genji« and »Heike« are lengthy novels of Japanese origin, with Genji often being considered the world's first written novel, and certainly the first in East Asia. To all, Good luck in your readings.
Excellent complete version of Three Kingdoms 
I have just finished reading this book and was moved to make a comment. First of all, I want to say that this is a complete version of »Three Kingdoms«, not an unabridged one. The Foreign Language Press published this English translation made by Moss Roberts, in four volumes and 2340 pages, which include many notes, several drawings and some maps. The edition was very carefully done. About the content, I just can say that it is a monumental painting of humanity made through the light of a very difficult time in China history. One hint: at the end of volume four, a list of principal characters is included, which results very useful along the reading. As always, thanks to Amazon that brought this book to my hands.
I have just finished reading this book and was moved to make a comment. First of all, I want to say that this is a complete version of »Three Kingdoms«, not an unabridged one. The Foreign Language Press published this English translation made by Moss Roberts, in four volumes and 2340 pages, which include many notes, several drawings and some maps. The edition was very carefully done. About the content, I just can say that it is a monumental painting of humanity made through the light of a very difficult time in China history. One hint: at the end of volume four, a list of principal characters is included, which results very useful along the reading. As always, thanks to Amazon that brought this book to my hands.
Disappointing
I am a big fan of The Three Kingdoms saga. I wanted a version that in my mind was worthy of the wonder and significance of the work. This version, for the cost, is very disappointing. I am through the first nine chapters or so, and I must say that this version does not live up to expectations. I see typographical and spelling (!) errors on seemingly every other page. There are also numerous references within the text to other works and versions that make me think there have to be more comprehensive, superior versions out there. I wanted a version that I could hang onto for decades, something worthy of prominent display on my bookshelves, and this one isn't it. If you are new to the ROTK world, this could be a great introductory work, but only if it were $40 cheaper. Avoid and instead try the local library.
I am a big fan of The Three Kingdoms saga. I wanted a version that in my mind was worthy of the wonder and significance of the work. This version, for the cost, is very disappointing. I am through the first nine chapters or so, and I must say that this version does not live up to expectations. I see typographical and spelling (!) errors on seemingly every other page. There are also numerous references within the text to other works and versions that make me think there have to be more comprehensive, superior versions out there. I wanted a version that I could hang onto for decades, something worthy of prominent display on my bookshelves, and this one isn't it. If you are new to the ROTK world, this could be a great introductory work, but only if it were $40 cheaper. Avoid and instead try the local library.
Wonderful, with one major flaw, but still Wonderful!
I don't want to leave a long comment because the truth is the book is a great classic. My only problem with it has been constant grammar errors. Once Lord Guan Yu is referred to as Lory Guan Yu, and just things like that. In fact, on the back of the book their is an error in the first line, so I will say that I wish the editor would have done a better job with the errors, but other than that, it's flawless!
I don't want to leave a long comment because the truth is the book is a great classic. My only problem with it has been constant grammar errors. Once Lord Guan Yu is referred to as Lory Guan Yu, and just things like that. In fact, on the back of the book their is an error in the first line, so I will say that I wish the editor would have done a better job with the errors, but other than that, it's flawless!
Great book
The book arrived in perfect condition. No problems at all. Also arrived as scheduled with no delays.
The book arrived in perfect condition. No problems at all. Also arrived as scheduled with no delays.
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© 1994–2010 Sascha Hendel
last update: 3/14/2010
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