Battles of the Samurai [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

S.R. Turnbull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1987

Stephen Turnbull is one of the most knowledgeable scholars on the Samurai Warrior of Japan and this is just one of his books on the Japanese Warrior. 126 pages with line drawing and full color etchings show and demonstrate exactly these most important battles of the Samurai Warrior.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fantastic book. Very informative! --Risingsunproductions.net

A wonderful book on the history of the Samurai! --Fightingspirit.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Weidenfeld Military; illustrated edition edition (November 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0853688265
• ISBN-13: 978-0853688266
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,464,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful source of information on the "Sengoku jidai.", January 4, 2005

By 

Michael (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battles of the Samurai (Hardcover)

Stephen Turnbull's BATTLES OF THE SAMURAI is an enthralling look at the history of Japan's "Sengoku jidai", or "warring states period." Turnbull provides fascinating accounts of a number of important battles of the era, relating dramatic anecdotes of heroism, courage, and valor, as well as of betrayal and tragedy, while also describing the more technical aspects of the battles, such as the terrain, weather conditions, tactics, strategies, and weaponry. Turnbull's book is richly illustrated with maps and artwork, helping the reader to understand the geographical layout of the areas in which battles occurred and the paths taken by the troops of the various warring factions. In addition, Turnbull provides explanation of the political events and clan struggles taking place between the battles, which is very helpful in tying everything together. Turnbull's volume is also written in such a manner as to be a viable guide for travelers interested in visiting and exploring the sites of the various battles described.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, July 16, 2006

By 

Dimitrios (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battles of the Samurai (Paperback)

I read this book some time ago and it was really a wonderful experience! I didn't have heard anything about the samurai history before and of course I did't know anything about the "Golden Age" of samurai battles, which is the 16th century. Mr Turnbull has done a fine job here, analysing nine famous Japanese battles: Kurikara (1183), Kamakura (1333), Okehazama (1560), Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima (1561), Anegawa (1570), Mikata-ga-Hara (1572), Nagashino (1575), Shizugatake (1583) and Sekigahara (1600). In each one the narrative flows in an excellent way and the story is read like a novel, full of heroes, epic clashes, self-denial, traitors and strange war ethics. There are also many simple but fine maps which support the text and enough information of how those battlefields are still preserved today. The Japanese are really fond of their history and this is shown in the condition of their monuments! Don't miss this book!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best overall history of the great samurai battles!, September 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Battles of the Samurai (Paperback)

What a shame this is out of print! Our family used this book extensively as a guide to our sightseeing of Japan this past summer as it offers not only historical background, portraits of great samurai personalities, and dramatic stories of the battles, but also information on visiting the battlefield sites today. Unable to obtain maps or directions to Sekigahara and Nagashino battlefields from the Japanese Tourist Organization (they told us "nobody goes there - there is nothing to see!") we relied on directions and photos in this book to discover for ourselves that samurai battlefields (Kamakura, Sekigahara) can be toured with relative ease and offer much for the modern tourist. Of course, it was the book's excellent coverage of the battles that first made us want to walk in the footsteps of Tokugawa, Mitsunari, Yoshisada, etc. A valuable resource!