All Men Are Brothers / Shui Hu Chuan

This translation of a Chinese classic (14th Century) is the epic tale of a band of patriots in China during the latter part of the Sung Dynasty and is considered by most to be one of the three or four greatest novels in Chinese literature. "Shui Hu Chuan" (water margin chronicles) is the adventure of a band of 108 outlaws (105 men and 3 women) struggling to help the Emperor rid himself of the despotic prime minister. Like Robin Hood, the bandit kings refer to themselves as the 'gallant fraternity'. They come out to harass the authorities and to attempt to solicit followers to overthrow a corrupt government in the name of the Emperor. Filled with ghosts, innkeepers who make hamburgers of their guests, giants of superhuman strength, beautiful women in distress, wily intellectuals and crafty merchants, this is a timeless tale of love and adventure. This is an action thriller packed with bigger than life heroes. It has the obvious college adoption market but also a larger audience that have read "Dream of the Red Chamber", "Journey to the West" (Monkey), or "Three Kingdoms". It will also appeal to the martial arts world. Shaolin monks named some of their movements after these heroes...like Wu Song - "Step Back and Ride the Tiger". This book has chivalry, Buddhism, Confucianism, honour, humour, and tragedy. It is the "War and Peace" of the Orient.