Translated in full for the first time, this second volume immerses
readers in the power and drama of the electrifying classic Chinese
novel.
Lord Wen of Jin brings some temporary stability to the political scene
when he returns after many years in exile. However, the grants of land
and office to his longstanding supporters make them too powerful for his
successors to control. Just as the Zhou aristocrats seize power from
their king, a bitter struggle begins as ministers seek to impose their
authority on their lords.
One of the great works of Chinese literature, Kingdoms in Peril is an
epic historical novel charting the five hundred years leading to the
unification of the country in 221 B.C.E. under the rule of the legendary
First Emperor. Writing some fourteen hundred years later, the Ming-era
author Feng Menglong drew on a vast trove of literary and historical
documents to compose a gripping narrative account of how China was
forged.
Detailing the stories of unforgettable characters who defined and shaped
the times in which they lived, the complete edition of Kingdoms in
Peril is a vital resource for those seeking a comprehensive overview of
China's ancient past and the political machinations that led to its
unification. There are many historical works that provide an account of
some of these events, but none are as thrilling and breathtakingly
memorable as Kingdoms in Peril.