I have been fascinated by the Emporers of China since I read about the Terracotta Warriors as a child. I was in awe that such magnificence could have been hidden away for so long.


While this book was insightful, and very well done is most parts, there were times that I found myself feeling as though I was dragging myself through it. The attention to detail is admirable, but there are ways to say what you mean - with fewer words. The characters are well rounded, and overall - don't make you want to cut them off the page! The book draws full circle, giving the reader almost a feel of what it was like to live in ancient China, and of course, undertake the road of Liu Bang!

I am going to give major props to the author for using amazing sources, and for putting a novel of this magnitude together. I think with a bit of polish and some descriptive scenes condensed - this would be a major winner!

An interesting biography, well researched with lots of facts i would recommend to any history of historical fiction lover

Have not read a lot of books about China,the very old China and really learned so much of the rich history that they have. I got a little confused at times but this was I think cause I don't know the people and history. I didn't get through the book before it was published,sorry,but I received this through Net Galley and doing my review now! If anything It's a history lesson you will want to learn if your interested in China

Liu Bang: outcast, bandit, bureaucrat of the Qin Dynasty; a man who gained control of an army and then an empire. Definitely a tale of "old" China when warlords could carve out kingdoms and rule as princes.

For the uninitiated - this will be a labourious tale as there is much background detail and history to be set up prior to Liu Bang's ascension to the imperial throne. Names will be completely unfamiliar if this is not your thing. However, once things do get going, it is a tale of political intrigue, mutiny, courtly backstabbing, general posturing, rivalries and divided loyalties, murder and rebellion. Usual stuff!

The story of Liu Bang is told quickly over the course of short snappy chapters, similar to a diary entry or memoir - and at least you know where and who your are with as the story progresses. It is divided into three parts: early life; wars of succession; reign as emperor. It is punctuated by corresponding events happening elsewhere in the world - a bit like an almanac.

The novel wraps up with a clan history, a timeline, a who's who of a dynasty that lasted 400 years.

"From peasant to emperor" details the story of Liu Bang's rise to emperor. I was curious to read this book since it is not something I usually read, although history does interest me. It is part biography, part "reconstructed" dialogues.

I enjoyed reading it, however it did take me some time to get into the book. The writing style is much different as I'm used to. The recounting of several battles and people became confusing at times since I wasn't always clear who is who again. However, it did gave insight why and how Liu Bang managed to succeed where others did not.