romance of the three kingdoms

of all the countries in this part of Asia, only the Philippines does not know of the book Romance of the Three Kingdoms. one of the 4 great Chinese classical novels, it is immensely known outside of China as well, but never made the same impact here in the Philippines. our Spanish and American influence definitely had a stronger influence molding our culture that we recognize western classics more even if we haven't really read any of it.

id like to get a copy of this classic, but in spite all my efforts - i have not found it anywhere. i can try specialty shops in Binondo, but i'm pretty sure that its going to be in Chinese if i do find one. I studied a bit of Mandarin, well just book 1 that is and i don't even recall less than a quarter of what i was taught.

the classic was based on another book Chronicles of the Three kingdoms, but the latter is a history book and the former, the romanticized version. Stories of honor, brotherhood, loyalty, betrayals, strategy fill its pages. and except for the tyrannical Dhong Zhuo who died early in the novel, all the factions that play in the war for unity are considered heroes - unlike majority of western literature which are dialectical in plot. 3 kingdoms, 1 land, a hundred chracters, a thousand actions, but a single goal - peace through unification of the land.

i cant wait for the 2nd part of one of its movie renditions, Red Cliff. if anyone out there knows where i can get a copy of the book in the Philippines, leave me comments please.

excerpt:
They all took an oath, saying, "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, and come to each other's aid in times of crisis. We shall avenge the nation from above, and pacify the citizenry from 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 the gods in heaven strike us dead."