The Revival of the Han Dynasty and the Turmoil of the Three Kingdoms: A Romance of the Later Han, Part One

This book is a popular retelling of the history of the Later Han and Three Kingdoms, with the Three Kingdoms period added, from Cai Dongfan's series Explaining Chinese History. Across two volumes and 100 chapters, it vividly recounts nearly 250 years of upheaval, from the restoration of the Han under Emperor Guangwu and the Calamity of the Partisan Prohibitions to the Battle of Guandu and the Battle of Red Cliffs, and from Cao Pi's seizure of the Han throne to Sima Yan's declaration as emperor. The author draws widely on official histories while also incorporating unofficial accounts. The narrative is plain, flowing, and well organized, with lively commentary and notes that balance humor with sound reasoning. Reading this book is like watching a historical scroll slowly unfurl before your eyes: now a clash of armies, now a tender romance, now rival states in conflict, now loyalists and traitors locked in a contest... The changing scenes keep readers enthralled and leave them deeply moved.