Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel, Part 2

Now for the diatribe. This is the 2nd translation I have read. For the westerner all the Chinese names can get confusing. One approach is to imagine an Asian coming to America and all your friends names are Smith, Jones, and Williams. At least I know quite a few, and they are NOT related. This translation actually has an appendix in the 2nd volume that lists all the names. REALLY HELPFUL! Personally, I started reading the 1st translation I have, (in four volumes "not for sale in the USA") as the tv series, Game of Thrones got into it's 2nd season. My friends, who I watch it with are fanatics about the series. makes sense it has been the #1 TV show, several years running. For me, the Three Kingdoms has been much more enjoyable. Sometimes history is just better than the the most creative fiction. Now, this is a romanticized version of a piece of early Chinese history almost 2000 years ago. Every so often, I have to remind myself that this stuff essentially did happen. There is one scene, (an event in actual history) regarding some actions by Cao Cao that is, well, still talked about today in China, and a very dark stain to Chinese history. (OK, so there are some serious stains in Scottish and western history..) As a westerner, I have to keep reminding myself that so much of what I am reading did actually happen. Even when I step away and remind myself that the author himself, (or whom this writing is accredited to), lived centuries later. Well, the authors time is STILL over 1,000 years ago! Step away from Games of Thrones, or better, since the series has to wait for the author to catch up, use that break and read this series. Don't worry if all the names and locations appear confusing. Just read it. I read half of it over two days non-stop. (fortunately it was the weekend) and I am NOT a bookworm. It is hard to get me to sit down and read something.Perhaps I am praising this work too much... However, I really feel that this story is one that every westerner in the 21st century should read. It will not explain China or even Asian culture today. As it is considered one of the "5 classics" in Asian culture. It is Camelot on steroids. It almost puts the American Civil War to sleep, and as a proud American, I wish the story of our founding fathers could be half as exciting.Have fun and good luck! Don't try to read it on the bus! or during your lunch break. You might get fired for no showing up to work..

Moss Roberts' translation is absolutely fantastic. Much more alive than others. Take the opening sentences:"Here begins our tale. The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been."Compare this with Taylor's translation:"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."Or Hegel's:"Empires wax and wane; states cleave asunder and coalesce."It's really no contest. Roberts' prose is lively and absolutely engaging throughout. He's that rare translator who not only understands the nuances of the original language but has a keen ear for English prose. The only complaint I have about this edition is that all the footnotes (and there are a *lot*) are at the back of the 2nd volume, which means that while reading the first two-thirds of the epic, you have to carry around both volumes (and these are big, heavy books). I don't know if there are other high-quality printings of Roberts' translation which might improve on this issue, but I wouldn't even consider a different translator.[This review is a duplicate of the one I submitted for volume 1]

Item as described, well packaged, good quality, no tracking available on my order but the seller is very polite and has been quick to answer all my questions. Very satisfied! :)))

I first encountered Moss Roberts' translation in a greatly abridged version which I took with me on my first trip to China. It greatly increased my enjoyment of the trip. Now Dr. Roberts has completed his translation of the whole novel. It is much more readable than the only other complete translation in English, that of Brewitt-Taylor. Many centuries of Chinese have used this book to gain wisdom about politics and war; I highly recommend that you take a look.

Good book. Accurately described.

Thank you.

A True classic

Timeless classic. Very nice paper binding!

A long read but possibly he best and most engrossing book I've ever read. A massive cast of characters (fortunately there's a list of characters to refer to at the back of the book). Footnotes help with the context but are out of the body of the text so don't interfere with the flow of the story. The writing style of the translator makes the book very readable and it cracks along at a fair pace

Best English version

great condtion excellent service & a really good read

I highly recommend this outstanding two volume set, to anyone interested in the classic literature of China. Terrific in terms of both content and shelf appeal, it's a must have for avid readers of great works.

5 stars!