What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Kingdoms (Three Volume Edition) #3
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome The Tiger
This exciting new translation will appeal to modern readers who find the twists and turns of Game of Thrones so compelling.
The Three Kingdoms is an epic Chinese novel written over six centuries ago. It recounts in vivid historical detail the turbulent years at the close of the Han Dynasty, when China broke into three competing kingdoms and over half the population were either killed or driven from their homes. Part myth, part fact, readers will experience the loyalty and treachery, the brotherhood and rivalry of China's legendary heroes and villains during the most tumultuous period in Chinese history.
Considered the greatest work in classic Chinese literature, The Three Kingdoms is read by millions throughout Asia today. Seen not just as a great work of art, many Chinese view it as a guide to success in life and business as well as a work that offers great moral clarity—while many foreigners read it to gain insights into Chinese society and culture. From the saga of The Three Kingdoms, readers will learn how great warriors motivate their troops and enhance their influence, while disguising their weaknesses and turning the strengths of others against them.
This third volume concludes the tale of Liu Bei and his sworn brothers-in-arms, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, whose loyalty and fidelity are sorely tested in a society at war for its very survival.
The Three Kingdoms is an epic Chinese novel written over six centuries ago. It recounts in vivid historical detail the turbulent years at the close of the Han Dynasty, when China broke into three competing kingdoms and over half the population were either killed or driven from their homes. Part myth, part fact, readers will experience the loyalty and treachery, the brotherhood and rivalry of China's legendary heroes and villains during the most tumultuous period in Chinese history.
Considered the greatest work in classic Chinese literature, The Three Kingdoms is read by millions throughout Asia today. Seen not just as a great work of art, many Chinese view it as a guide to success in life and business as well as a work that offers great moral clarity—while many foreigners read it to gain insights into Chinese society and culture. From the saga of The Three Kingdoms, readers will learn how great warriors motivate their troops and enhance their influence, while disguising their weaknesses and turning the strengths of others against them.
This third volume concludes the tale of Liu Bei and his sworn brothers-in-arms, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, whose loyalty and fidelity are sorely tested in a society at war for its very survival.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 1360
44 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Luo Guanzhong
685 books177 followersLuo Ben (c. 1330–1400), better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong (罗贯中) (Mandarin pronunciation: [lwɔ kwantʂʊŋ]), was a Chinese writer who lived during the Yuan Dynasty. He was also known by his pseudonym Huhai Sanren (Chinese: 湖海散人; pinyin: Húhǎi Sǎnrén; literally "Leisure Man of Lakes and Seas"). Luo was attributed with writing Romance of the Three Kingdoms and editing Water Margin, two of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 21, 2022
3.5 Stars
A solid third volume that fleshes out the events after the ending of the 2010 adaptation.
A solid third volume that fleshes out the events after the ending of the 2010 adaptation.
April 21, 2022
"Unity succeeds division and division follows unity. One is bound to be replaced by the other after a long span of time. This is the way of things in the world."
July 9, 2022
Books 1 and 2 down, number three on the way!!
January 26, 2022
I ... wow. See my reviews of the first two volumes of this epic for more reviews, because upon finishing it I just ... wow. I can really see how this book has managed to stay culturally relevant for the last 7 centuries. It's well worth the effort to read.
August 26, 2022
It took me a year, but I finally finished it!
April 2, 2023
Rounded up from 3.5.
April 25, 2019
This review presumes you read the other 2 books. The third book details the decline of two of three powers established in the second book, ending with a coup and an annexation of the third. Few themes off the top of my head after reading all three books:
a. Have a grand strategy - there were many generals in the book, but the great ones always had their eye on the bigger picture and were able to employ various means other than brute force to achieve them. On the brink of vicotry, Zhuge Liang was forced to call off an attack because his enemies sent spies to spread rumours to his lord. Even Zhang Fei, better known for impetuousness and fury, was able to win a string of forts without losing a single man, by winning over a key general who helped convince the others to surrender.
b. Good tactics is not enough - many examples throughout the book of excellent fighters who became generals. Unfortunately, they relied on their martial prowess and sheer numbers, and more often than not were outmaneuvered, led into ambushes, and usually lost their heads (literally)
c. Surround yourself with good men. The great leaders had a retinue of advisers and warriors who they consulted with, and generally treated well. Mistakes often occurred when the advice was not taken, or advisor was not around. Very often the generals found themselves in dire straits, and it was their trusted warriors that would rescue them.
d. Karma is a bitch. Ironic that one particular empire was brought down almost the same way it came about - some three generations later.
e. Complacency kills. Somehow most generals perform well as underdogs, but then success gets to their heads, This is about the time the new underdog gets the better of them.
f. Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness - we see this in all the generals, from Liu Bei (compassion - indecision) , Zhuge Liang (Meticulous - micro manager) , Zhang Fei (Brave - hot headed), to name a few.
g. Superstition? This series is a fictionalised account of ancient history, but there are portions where magic and superstition come into play. I can deal with ghosts and all, but conjuring the weather etc does play down an important point. Many of the generals were superb strategists who could analyse the lay of the land and make it work for them. I'd like to think they understood the weather and turn it to their advantage too.
h. Groom your progeny. The offspring of the three emperors didn't turn out so great - perhaps because throughout the book not much was said about how they were raised. On the other hand there were the children of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who followed them in battle, presumably learned from them, and could hold their own.
All in all, good series, worth the read. But be warned, the epic spans some three generations and can get confusing at times due to many major and minor characters as the story progresses, with relatives in different camps.
a. Have a grand strategy - there were many generals in the book, but the great ones always had their eye on the bigger picture and were able to employ various means other than brute force to achieve them. On the brink of vicotry, Zhuge Liang was forced to call off an attack because his enemies sent spies to spread rumours to his lord. Even Zhang Fei, better known for impetuousness and fury, was able to win a string of forts without losing a single man, by winning over a key general who helped convince the others to surrender.
b. Good tactics is not enough - many examples throughout the book of excellent fighters who became generals. Unfortunately, they relied on their martial prowess and sheer numbers, and more often than not were outmaneuvered, led into ambushes, and usually lost their heads (literally)
c. Surround yourself with good men. The great leaders had a retinue of advisers and warriors who they consulted with, and generally treated well. Mistakes often occurred when the advice was not taken, or advisor was not around. Very often the generals found themselves in dire straits, and it was their trusted warriors that would rescue them.
d. Karma is a bitch. Ironic that one particular empire was brought down almost the same way it came about - some three generations later.
e. Complacency kills. Somehow most generals perform well as underdogs, but then success gets to their heads, This is about the time the new underdog gets the better of them.
f. Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness - we see this in all the generals, from Liu Bei (compassion - indecision) , Zhuge Liang (Meticulous - micro manager) , Zhang Fei (Brave - hot headed), to name a few.
g. Superstition? This series is a fictionalised account of ancient history, but there are portions where magic and superstition come into play. I can deal with ghosts and all, but conjuring the weather etc does play down an important point. Many of the generals were superb strategists who could analyse the lay of the land and make it work for them. I'd like to think they understood the weather and turn it to their advantage too.
h. Groom your progeny. The offspring of the three emperors didn't turn out so great - perhaps because throughout the book not much was said about how they were raised. On the other hand there were the children of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who followed them in battle, presumably learned from them, and could hold their own.
All in all, good series, worth the read. But be warned, the epic spans some three generations and can get confusing at times due to many major and minor characters as the story progresses, with relatives in different camps.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2019
Took me long enough to finish the 3 volumes of the Three Kingdoms. Did not turn out the way I expected, but that is a sign of a good story.
Thankful that I have some Chinese students this semester who have also read Three Kingdoms in Chinese. I’m looking forward to talking with them about this book.
Thankful that I have some Chinese students this semester who have also read Three Kingdoms in Chinese. I’m looking forward to talking with them about this book.
August 28, 2017
(NOTE: This is a review for all three volumes of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms)
I had been aware of this epic of Chinese literature for many years, but first developed a serious interest in reading it after having watched the excellent Chinese drama adaptation made in 2010. That gave me the impetus to pick up the first volume and give it a go.
Some words of caution first, from one who has now read all three volumes. This is a book that very much requires you to juggle hundreds of names in your head and keep track of who is who. Indeed, I would strongly recommend watching that aforementioned TV series prior to reading the books. This may sound the wrong way around, but having made my way through all 1,377 pages, it would have been considerably harder without some pre-knowledge of key characters to anchor my progress. Having some understanding, for example, that a Lu Su matters where a Lu Xun does not, certainly makes getting through the book a mite less daunting.
Another warning for those considering embarking on the Three Kingdoms: if you are not interested in military strategy and take no pleasure in reading about the minutiae of war, you should probably turn away. A significant percentage of the book is spent on detailing battles: many, many battles, often in quick succession. While war itself is not the core of what the Three Kingdoms is about, it is nevertheless the medium through which many of the story's messages are related.
This is a fictionalised account of a very real historic period in Chinese history. After the fall of the Han dynasty in 220 AD, the country fell into a state of civil war, as rival warlords fought one another for superiority - each claiming to be the rightful successor to Han. Gradually power consolidated around three separate kingdoms: Wei in the North, Wu in the South and Shu in the West. Each was led by its own charismatic leader - Cao Cao, Sun Quan and Liu Bei respectively. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms tells their story, how they rose to power, what they did with that power and how each, ultimately, fell. It is truly epic in its scale, and widely recognised in China as one of the greatest books ever written.
For me, this book is about much more than just a historic narrative. Still less is it a book merely about military tactics - although they certainly feature prominently throughout. Rather, the Three Kingdoms represents an insightful, penetrating look at power - how it can be won, how it can be maintained and how it can be lost. Each of the three rulers demonstrates different virtues and flaws, and is aided by a wide variety of generals and advisers, each with their own agendas. The ruthlessness of Cao Cao is tempered by his intellectual brilliance and his ability to exercise power without ever openly admitting to it. The virtue of Liu Bei, meanwhile, is undone by his inability to win his own battles and by his undying loyalty to those who do not always serve him best. The astuteness of Sun Quan is highlighted by the way in which he employs people best suited to the role, implicitly acknowledging his own shortcomings. Each ruler has a coterie of advisers, and the relationship between power and those who would shape and direct that power is fascinating. Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi both stand out as impressive figures in their own right, often outshining the men they exist to serve. Their interplay, in particular, is a highlight of the book. And it would be remiss of me not to mention Liu Bei's two brothers-in-arms: Zhang Fei, the oft-drunk and irascible warrior and Guan Yu, the legendary fighter who keeps his honour to his very last breath.
Another lesson the Three Kingdoms teaches is that for all the struggles and grand designs, winning or losing may very often lie in the lap of the gods. A rainstorm at the wrong moment or a change in the direction of the wind can make all the difference. Illnesses strike down otherwise undefeated veterans, just as ultimately the collapse of the three kingdoms ends up owing more to the dissipation and idleness of the rulers' successors than to any great military victory. Power is ephemeral, and it cannot ever be taken for granted.
There are so many stories and sub-plots woven into the fabric of the Three Kingdoms that it would be both infeasible and futile to assess them all here. The best I can say of this book is that it is a joy to read and its many pages a wonderful place within which to lose yourself. It is long, and there will be times when you may wonder if the battles will ever end with one siding achieving anything close to a significant victory; but stick with it and you will be rewarded.
I had been aware of this epic of Chinese literature for many years, but first developed a serious interest in reading it after having watched the excellent Chinese drama adaptation made in 2010. That gave me the impetus to pick up the first volume and give it a go.
Some words of caution first, from one who has now read all three volumes. This is a book that very much requires you to juggle hundreds of names in your head and keep track of who is who. Indeed, I would strongly recommend watching that aforementioned TV series prior to reading the books. This may sound the wrong way around, but having made my way through all 1,377 pages, it would have been considerably harder without some pre-knowledge of key characters to anchor my progress. Having some understanding, for example, that a Lu Su matters where a Lu Xun does not, certainly makes getting through the book a mite less daunting.
Another warning for those considering embarking on the Three Kingdoms: if you are not interested in military strategy and take no pleasure in reading about the minutiae of war, you should probably turn away. A significant percentage of the book is spent on detailing battles: many, many battles, often in quick succession. While war itself is not the core of what the Three Kingdoms is about, it is nevertheless the medium through which many of the story's messages are related.
This is a fictionalised account of a very real historic period in Chinese history. After the fall of the Han dynasty in 220 AD, the country fell into a state of civil war, as rival warlords fought one another for superiority - each claiming to be the rightful successor to Han. Gradually power consolidated around three separate kingdoms: Wei in the North, Wu in the South and Shu in the West. Each was led by its own charismatic leader - Cao Cao, Sun Quan and Liu Bei respectively. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms tells their story, how they rose to power, what they did with that power and how each, ultimately, fell. It is truly epic in its scale, and widely recognised in China as one of the greatest books ever written.
For me, this book is about much more than just a historic narrative. Still less is it a book merely about military tactics - although they certainly feature prominently throughout. Rather, the Three Kingdoms represents an insightful, penetrating look at power - how it can be won, how it can be maintained and how it can be lost. Each of the three rulers demonstrates different virtues and flaws, and is aided by a wide variety of generals and advisers, each with their own agendas. The ruthlessness of Cao Cao is tempered by his intellectual brilliance and his ability to exercise power without ever openly admitting to it. The virtue of Liu Bei, meanwhile, is undone by his inability to win his own battles and by his undying loyalty to those who do not always serve him best. The astuteness of Sun Quan is highlighted by the way in which he employs people best suited to the role, implicitly acknowledging his own shortcomings. Each ruler has a coterie of advisers, and the relationship between power and those who would shape and direct that power is fascinating. Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi both stand out as impressive figures in their own right, often outshining the men they exist to serve. Their interplay, in particular, is a highlight of the book. And it would be remiss of me not to mention Liu Bei's two brothers-in-arms: Zhang Fei, the oft-drunk and irascible warrior and Guan Yu, the legendary fighter who keeps his honour to his very last breath.
Another lesson the Three Kingdoms teaches is that for all the struggles and grand designs, winning or losing may very often lie in the lap of the gods. A rainstorm at the wrong moment or a change in the direction of the wind can make all the difference. Illnesses strike down otherwise undefeated veterans, just as ultimately the collapse of the three kingdoms ends up owing more to the dissipation and idleness of the rulers' successors than to any great military victory. Power is ephemeral, and it cannot ever be taken for granted.
There are so many stories and sub-plots woven into the fabric of the Three Kingdoms that it would be both infeasible and futile to assess them all here. The best I can say of this book is that it is a joy to read and its many pages a wonderful place within which to lose yourself. It is long, and there will be times when you may wonder if the battles will ever end with one siding achieving anything close to a significant victory; but stick with it and you will be rewarded.
December 31, 2017
"Unity succeeds division and division follows unity. One is bound to be replaced by the other after a long span of time. This is the way of things in the world."
The Three Kingdoms took me a while to get into, but it came highly recommended to me and became my bedside reading for most of 2017. It was my first dive into Chinese literature and provided insight into Chinese culture that is not possible through purely nonfiction. Themes of filial piety, honor, and retribution were constant. I enjoyed reading about the cleverness and strategizing of advisors like Zhuge Liang, but I found the heavy focus on military campaigns to be tedious at times. I would compare it to The Iliad as it focuses heavily on the details and strategies of various battles, but with the distinction that The Three Kingdoms spans generations so each sentence packs in more information.
The Three Kingdoms took me a while to get into, but it came highly recommended to me and became my bedside reading for most of 2017. It was my first dive into Chinese literature and provided insight into Chinese culture that is not possible through purely nonfiction. Themes of filial piety, honor, and retribution were constant. I enjoyed reading about the cleverness and strategizing of advisors like Zhuge Liang, but I found the heavy focus on military campaigns to be tedious at times. I would compare it to The Iliad as it focuses heavily on the details and strategies of various battles, but with the distinction that The Three Kingdoms spans generations so each sentence packs in more information.
January 23, 2023
To be honest, at times during Volume 3 I became a little bit weary of this lifetimes-long struggle to restore the Hans to the throne, but so many unexpected things happened in this volume that sometimes I would sit upright in my seat exclaiming "WHAT?!" In that way, it's much like real life. There are things that one can control (through foresight, planning, strategy, cultivating virtue, calling gifted people to one's side, understanding one's enemy, preparing materials ahead of time, etc.), and then there are things that are dictated by one's luck (which is bestowed by Heaven). The characters themselves say that some things cannot be changed and it is thus fate. I wonder what it would be like to live today as if some of the characters in this book lived –literally as if their honor and loyalty was worth more than life itself.
Having finished this months-long undertaking of reading this 3-volume set myself, I feel like I was very much immersed in that world and I cannot stop thinking about certain of the characters. I wonder what motivated them to spur them onto fate; their own conscious choosing or simply their character? Or perhaps as was often quoted by different characters in the book, "the will of Heaven"?
Although I still can't get over how everything played out, there is a nice bow tied around everything at the very end through a piece of wisdom (kinda around how the Universe works...) from the I Ching which is a bit of a soothing balm.
Having finished this months-long undertaking of reading this 3-volume set myself, I feel like I was very much immersed in that world and I cannot stop thinking about certain of the characters. I wonder what motivated them to spur them onto fate; their own conscious choosing or simply their character? Or perhaps as was often quoted by different characters in the book, "the will of Heaven"?
Although I still can't get over how everything played out, there is a nice bow tied around everything at the very end through a piece of wisdom (kinda around how the Universe works...) from the I Ching which is a bit of a soothing balm.
October 13, 2021
After some years I have finished Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Now I must reflect on whether or not it was worth it.
I would say "no." I know it's a classic of and beloved the world over but most of this book was "x challenged y. They fought so many bouts but x retreated and was pursued by y, but it was a trap." This was repeated on and on and on.
If you want to learn more about this story, I'd say read some of the more popular parts (Red Cliff, etc.).
I honestly don't think this book was written to be read cover to cover. At least I can now flex that I've read one of the longest books ever written?
I would say "no." I know it's a classic of and beloved the world over but most of this book was "x challenged y. They fought so many bouts but x retreated and was pursued by y, but it was a trap." This was repeated on and on and on.
If you want to learn more about this story, I'd say read some of the more popular parts (Red Cliff, etc.).
I honestly don't think this book was written to be read cover to cover. At least I can now flex that I've read one of the longest books ever written?
March 9, 2024
While not as militaristic as the second volume there is still plenty to enjoy in this last installment of the Chinese epic from a plethora of paranormal occurrences to all of Zhuge Liange's theatrics in battle, and finally to nepo-babies ruining everything that their fathers worked so hard to build.
I found myself strangely emotionally invested in the story despite knowing how it was going to end though by the end I was ready for the story to be over as I didn't really care all about how the sons of the warriors of the past two volumes really ruined everything.
Still overall, this epic was well worth the read, and I totally get why it is still so popular today.
I found myself strangely emotionally invested in the story despite knowing how it was going to end though by the end I was ready for the story to be over as I didn't really care all about how the sons of the warriors of the past two volumes really ruined everything.
Still overall, this epic was well worth the read, and I totally get why it is still so popular today.
October 10, 2018
For the entire three volume set, the scope and wide variety of characters (most, if not all, with their own agenda to gain power) made it a treat to read, though it may be a bit long. It definitely helped that I had read The Art of War prior, as many of those strategies appeared here.
November 6, 2019
Great novel
Wow.. never thought i would finish these 3 novels. The vastness of the stories explain much of china today; its people, culture and even its politics. Very excellent translation.. bravo
Wow.. never thought i would finish these 3 novels. The vastness of the stories explain much of china today; its people, culture and even its politics. Very excellent translation.. bravo
November 6, 2020
I found these last chapters to be sad, as the great heroes all die off, their dreams unfulfilled, and nobility turns into corruption.
Then the last lines circle back to the first lines and I found it quite poignant.
Then the last lines circle back to the first lines and I found it quite poignant.
October 3, 2021
Weakest of the three volumes - after all the main characters from the first two die we speedrun through 3 or 4 more generations just to get to the point where the three titular kingdoms end. Still pretty fun.
December 24, 2021
Now that I've finished the whole Romance of the Three Kingdoms saga, dang I can see why it's such a classic. Good look into Chinese history and feudal ideology, and as a work of literature I guess for modern western audiences it's basically "What if Game of Thrones was actually good?"
July 30, 2017
Not to self, do not read any book about war while doing war yourself.
Been a busy month with work and chaining at this game a play. Thus, constantly had to put this to a halt.
Been a busy month with work and chaining at this game a play. Thus, constantly had to put this to a halt.
November 12, 2019
My favorite!
November 5, 2021
The end of the saga. The main character of this entire novel is China. Not Liu Bei, nor the Shu Kingdom. It's China.
Read
May 3, 2022This was an engrossing book, full of twists and turns! I enjoyed it very much!
April 1, 2017
And so I come to the end of one of the great Chinese novels. This particular translation seems self-published (or at least not very well edited), but having the books physically in my hands made it easier to keep reading. The book is about the Warring States period in China (between the Han and Jin dynasties), the characters being secondary to the history. Lots of so-and-so defeated this person here, but there were passages of extraordinary circumstances.
November 11, 2015
This last third moves a lot faster than the first two thirds, which is mostly okay, because the most interesting characters of the first two thirds finally start to die off. After the death of Zhuge Liang in particular the pace speeds up considerably, culminating in the long foreseen deposition of the Caos by the Simas and the speedy conquest of the other two kingdoms by the new state of Jin in just a few short chapters.
July 16, 2014
A truly interesting look on stratgey and the chaotic events that happened after the Han Dyansty had ended.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews