The Water Margin

The Water Marginis one of the oFour Great Classical Novelso of Chinese literature. Based upon the story of the historical bandit Song Jiang and his companions, this epic tale of a rebellion against tyranny has been thrilling and inspiring readers for hundreds of years. A stirring tale of a band of men left with no choice but to become outlaws when faced with a tyrannical and unjust government,The Water Marginis the Chinese equivalent ofRobin Hood and His Merry Men. First gaining popularity in the West when it was translated by Pearl S. Buck asAll Men Are Brothers, this classic tale is presented here in a detailed translation more faithful to the Chinese original.

Shi Naian is one of the respected elders of Chinese literature. In addition to authoring The Water Margin, he was also the teacher of Lo Kuan-Chung, the author of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

J. H. Jackson first came into contact with Chinese culture through his involvement with Presbyterian missionary efforts. His translation of The Water Margin was the first to closely follow the text of the Chinese original.