Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Excellent January 22, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The reviews for this product come up a bit higgledy-piggledy, the same reviews appear on the 1 volume abridgement, the 4 volume paperback and the 5 volume library binding set: this review is for the 4 volume paperback set.
Most people nowadays come to the series through Koei's games. This is no bad thing, since any introduction to the Three Kingdoms, howsoever made, is to be welcomed.
What you have here is a pot of dramatised history, analogous to the caveat "based on a true story" as you might see in feature films. The books cover the last days of the Han and go through to the rise of the Jin, concentrating for the most part on the travails of Cao Cao, Liu Bei and the Sun family with a supporting cast of dozens. It's slickly written- at least, the translation makes it slickly written (Chinese literature can be a bit stacatto to Westerners) so well done to Moss Roberts for making it so eminently consumable. It's a thundering read, high paced and conveying very well the spirit of adventure that uncertain times instill in men of virtue.
Factor in the fact that this is an ancient story that has survived intact for many years, you're looking at 25 very well spent.
 Spend more money October 18, 2006
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
It's is worth spending more money on the unadbridged version. This book cuts a lot out of the beginning, like Lu Bu's ordeal at Xia Pei and also Sun Jian's happenings etc. It cuts Sun Ce out completely.
Having read the original(s) I'd say, this is a good buy if you're not sure if you want to spend a fair bit of money. It gives you an idea of what is to come, and if like me, you love, spend more money on the unadbridged versions.
An Epic beyond proportion!!! January 13, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I first got into the Three Kingdoms Era from playing Dynasty Warriors (ok, I admit that's pretty sad). So I got the abridged edition which was much cheaper and read it in under a week, it was so amazing. I just had to buy the complete 5 book set because the abridged version cuts out so many chapters it left me quite unsatisfied, especially near the end.
Words cannot express just how much I loved these books with its tales of heroic deeds, deception and devotion. Cao Cao's stupidity/arrogance is hilarious sometimes. An abridged edition is quite good, as it does cut out some of the 'boring' bits. But then you miss out on some really good chapters. BUY THEM NOW!!!! CAO CAO COMMANDS IT!!!
Wei, Wu & Shu... Let the Battle Commence!! July 22, 2005
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
The book starts with the fall of the Han dynasty, and the rise of a rebel faction called the Yellow scarves. From this we see the rise and fall of various regional lords vying to rule ancient China. Based on the time period of the same name, the book follows the exploits of Three Kingdoms: Wei, led by Cao Cao, Wu, led by the Sun family and finally the Kingdom of Shu, led by the virtuous Liu Bei.
With a cast of characters longer than the wall of China, the reader is immediatly sucked into the vortex that is the struggle for rule of China, from the rise of the Yellow scarves' rebellion And the oath in the Peach garden, to the final showdown between the Kingdom of Wu, and Kingdom of Wei, which would later become the Jin dynasty.
Much of this story is legend...but this much is true, this is a bloody great read, harder to read than some other books from China (i.e.: Outlaws of the Marsh) but its worth every second you spend reading!
Great book, well worth a read May 14, 2005
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
First up, this is the ABRIDGED version of the full story (which racks up some 2500 pages + depending on print). Don't let this detract you from buying though, this is almost a guide if you like to the full book.After being a long time follower of the Dynasty Warriors series, i figured it was high time i found out just who it was i've bin saving / destroying etc, so i set about finding the books. After a quick scout around, i decided on ordering both this condensed version and the full version. In my opinion this works well as you can get a grasp of the storyline and the basics in this abridged version, then read up on the inbetweens at your convenience. On to the books themselves, they do not dissapoint, true to form they are an engaging read with tales of heroism a plenty. With characters ranging from the tank-like Lu Bu, to the undying devotion shown by Dian Wei in his defense of Cao Cao. A truely incredible story which i would recommend to any fan of dynasty warriors, or any reader for that matter. Just bear in mind that the full unabridged version will suck a fair chunk of your life away with all its pages.
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