---
product_id: 13164714
title: "The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (with Footnotes) Paperback – May 20, 2014"
brand: "luo guanzhongronald c. iverson"
price: "€ 27.46"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.nl/products/13164714-the-three-kingdoms-volume-1-the-sacred-oath-the-epic
store_origin: NL
region: Netherlands
---

# The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (with Footnotes) Paperback – May 20, 2014

**Brand:** luo guanzhongronald c. iverson
**Price:** € 27.46
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (with Footnotes) Paperback – May 20, 2014 by luo guanzhongronald c. iverson
- **How much does it cost?** € 27.46 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nl](https://www.desertcart.nl/products/13164714-the-three-kingdoms-volume-1-the-sacred-oath-the-epic)

## Best For

- luo guanzhongronald c. iverson enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted luo guanzhongronald c. iverson brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Full description not available

## Images

![The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (with Footnotes) Paperback – May 20, 2014 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/810GLOo704L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    I must read.
  

*by S***N on Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023*

I’ve just finished book one.  I cannot wait to read books 2 and 3.  This is a must read book and one of the great novels of humanity.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    A Must Read!
  

*by S***N on Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2014*

This new translation of the Chinese classic Three Kingdoms was awesome to read. It explained how a dedicated group of people could coalesce around an idea with the hopes of having it come true. Liu Bei was definitely an inspired leader. The people who formed his core leadership group each had outstanding traits. I understand better now how an inspired idea can collect followers to try to achieve worthy goals. I also understand better now the importance of wise advice by seeing the impact Zhuge Liang has on events. He thoughtfully considered the details of a situation and then explained to Liu Bei, his leader, how to wisely respond to it in order to achieve worthy results. But without the skillful help of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun achieving these goals would be impossible. So. It takes three components to achieve success: the worthy idea, good strategy and skillful implementation.  Liu Bei has many challenges to overcome, but this combination of a goal directed idea and good strategy for implementation are the critical components for success. It is rewarding to read how people with helpful aspirations can achieve success through loyalty and dedicated efforts. Though I have only read vol. 1, and part of vol.2,  I am eager to finish reading volumes 2 and 3 to discover how all these events end.  I found the Chinese names to be confusing to follow, but the glossary of main characters listed in the front of the book provided easily found information to help me through the reading of this exciting story.  The innovative use of poetic little poems injected at critical points in the text were unusual but quite pleasing. The author of this book and its translators, Iverson and Yu Sumei, did a fine job producing an awesome book.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Classic historical novel of ancient China
  

*by L***S on Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2023*

There are four widely-recognized classic Chinese novels. Seriously, do a web search for "classic Chinese novels" and you will find dozens of pages referring to "The Four Classic Novels of Chinese Literature". (Wikipedia lists six on its Classic Chinese Novels page" -- these include the usual four, plus two others.) The phrase "Four classic Chinese novels" also appears frequently in commentary on Chinese literature. The four areRomance of the Three KingdomsThe Water MarginJourney to the WestDream of the Red ChamberSome of these come in multiple versions, even in Chinese, and multiple English translations, often with different titles. (For instance, Dream of the Red Chamber is also known as The Story of the Stone.) So it can get a little confusing. In my (inexpert) opinion, Three Kingdoms is the best novel of the first three. (I don't include Dream of the Red Chamber in my judgment because its discussions of Chinese poetry, art, and calligraphy are too far over my head.)Don't be confused by the word "romance" -- it is used in its original sense -- essentially just "novel". Three Kingdoms is not a story of romantic love. It is a historical novel of the very early days of China, in the second and third centuries, before China existed as a single nation. It describes the political and military battles for the rule of what would eventually become China. It was written much later (mostly 15th century, although modern versions incoroporate later editing by other writers). Although Luo Guanzhong referred to historical records, the narrative of Three Kingdoms is probably not terribly accurate with regard to real events. (My own impression is that Three Kingdoms is roughly as accurate a guide to historical events as Shakespeare's plays, and less accurate than, say, Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series.) There is, however, one way in which Three Kingdoms feels quite real. Real history is big and messy. Three Kingdoms is also big and messy.The most famous incident in Three Kingdoms is called the Peach Orchard Oath. This is a version of the Oath (from Wikipedia)"When saying the names Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, although the surnames are different, yet we have come together as brothers. From this day forward, we shall join forces for a common purpose: to save the troubled and to aid the endangered. We shall avenge the nation above, and pacify the citizenry below. We seek not to be born on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. We merely hope to die on the same day, in the same month and in the same year. May the Gods of Heaven and Earth attest to what is in our hearts. If we should ever do anything to betray our friendship, may heaven and the people of the earth both strike us dead."It is not clear that this ever happened in reality -- historical sources don't mention it. It is likely that Luo adapted the story from folktales.It has, however become historical. The Peach Orchard Oath has resonated down Chinese culture and history. For instance, it is referenced in Water Margin. It has served as a model for Chinese secret societies and military organizations. And it is central to Three Kingdoms. Although, as I said above, Three Kingdoms is a story of extraordinary complexity, from a certain point of view it is simple. Liu, Guan, and Zhang can rely completely on each other -- this gives them an advantage over the hundreds of other generals and would-be emperors they face, for whom treachery is entirely routine and to be expected.If you read just one classic Chinese novel, it should be Three Kingdoms.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.nl/products/13164714-the-three-kingdoms-volume-1-the-sacred-oath-the-epic](https://www.desertcart.nl/products/13164714-the-three-kingdoms-volume-1-the-sacred-oath-the-epic)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Netherlands*
*Store origin: NL*
*Last updated: 2026-01-26*