The Water Margin, known in China as Shuihu Zhuan, is one of the "Four Great Classical Novels" of vernacular Chinese literature, despite being banned by Imperial Edict at the end of the Ming Dynasty and again during the Qing Dynasty.

Based upon the historical bandit Song Jiang and his companions, this Chinese equivalent of the English classic Robin Hood and His Merry Men is an epic tale of rebellion against tyranny and has been thrilling and inspiring readers for hundreds of years.

This edition of the classic J. H. Jackson translation features a new preface and introduction by Edwin Lowe, which gives the history of the book and puts the story into perspective for modern readers. First translated into English by Pearl S. Buck in 1933 as All Men Are Brothers, the original edition of the J.H. Jackson translation appeared under the title The Water Margin in 1937. In this updated edition, Edwin Lowe addresses many of the shortcomings found in the original translation, and replaces the original grit and flavor of Shuihui Zhuan found in Chinese versions.

While Chinese in origin, the themes of The Water Margin are universal enough that it continues to serve as a source of literary inspiration.