Based on the story of the historical bandit Song Jiang and his companions, this epic tale of rebellion against tyranny and unjust government has been thrilling and inspiring readers for hundreds of years. From supernatural feats of endurance to poisonings, witchcraft and cannibalism and timeless tales of villainy and heroism, The Water Margin is a fascinating, suspenseful account of twelfth-century events during the Song Dynasty. Here is adventure, murder, warfare and romance, in a connected series of fascinating, individual tales, told in the suspenseful manner of the traditional storyteller. This new translation from Martin Palmer conveys all the drama of the original, and is accompanied by an illuminating introduction.