Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood

Early Chinese Plays on the Three Kingdoms

Wilt L Idema translator Stephen H West translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Hackett Publishing Co, Inc

Published:15th Sep '12

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Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood cover

This book chronicles the legendary Three Kingdoms period, exploring the intense civil wars and the intricate relationships among key figures. Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood captures the essence of this historical saga.

In Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood, readers are taken on an epic journey through one of China's most significant historical periods. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Three Kingdoms era, a time marked by political intrigue, military conflict, and the struggle for power among the Shu-Han, Wei, and Wu states. This gripping tale not only highlights the battles fought but also delves into the personal relationships and betrayals that shaped the course of history during this tumultuous time.

The book intricately weaves together the lives of legendary figures such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan, illustrating their ambitions and the alliances they forged or shattered. As the civil wars rage on, the story reveals how these leaders navigated the treacherous waters of loyalty and enmity, ultimately leading to the fragmentation of the Han empire. The themes of brotherhood and betrayal resonate throughout, showcasing how personal bonds can influence larger political landscapes.

Ultimately, Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood serves as a captivating exploration of not just the battles fought, but the human emotions and relationships that underlie the historical events. It invites readers to reflect on the complexities of loyalty, ambition, and the quest for power, making it a timeless tale that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Beginning with the swearing of brotherhood in the Peach Orchard and continuing on to the most famous battles and betrayals of the Three Kingdoms era, this selection of expertly translated plays enables readers to discover how the major heroes of the legend were portrayed on the Yuan and Ming stage. Informative introductions and annotations enhance enjoyment of the plays, as do appendices that expand on the core selections by providing alternate versions of some famous episodes. Translations of selected incidents from a popular history, the Sanguo zhi pinghua, enable comparisons between a popular historical account of these heroes’ careers and dramas about them. [This book is] indispensable as a companion to translations of the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as a student introduction to Chinese culture and theater, or as a guide for any readers simply interested in Three Kingdoms lore. --Catherine Swatek, University of British Columbia


Battles, Betrayals, and Brotherhood is a brilliant introduction to one of China's best-loved heroic traditions. And of course the translations are wonderful—very lively! --Katherine Carlitz, University of Pittsburgh

ISBN: 9781603848145

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 794g

501 pages