Heroes, Beards, and Betrayals: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms Retold

What happens when a bankrupt sandal-seller, a butcher with anger issues, and a man with a beard that deserves its own shrine decide they can save China? You get the beginning of Romance of the Three Kingdoms — one of the greatest epics in world literature, retold here with humour, wit, and the occasional raised eyebrow. From the Peach Garden Oath to the fall of mighty warlords, from the scheming of eunuchs to the brilliance of Zhuge Liang, this is the sprawling saga of loyalty and betrayal, ambition and blunder, strategy and sheer stupidity. Tyrants burn capitals, coalitions bicker like schoolboys, and the fate of empires hangs on beards, oaths, and clever tricks involving straw boats. This book takes Luo Guanzhong's 14th-century classic — itself based on the real chaos of 2nd and 3rd century China — and retells it in a modern, accessible style reminiscent of Bill Bryson. It's history with a smile: epic battles, tragic heroes, and unforgettable villains, told in a way that makes you laugh as much as it makes you marvel. Whether you're new to Chinese history or already a fan of the Three Kingdoms, this retelling will sweep you into an age of dragons, tigers, and more betrayals than a soap opera.