Customer Reviews

Musashi, Book 1: The Way of the Samurai

5 star:		(8)
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My lord! This book, as well as the other four have changed my very way of life. This is by far the best series i've ever read. i can only recommend this to all, and i mean all. this book along with the others have gotten me into swordsmanship, and the way of the samurai. anyway, I couldn't put this thing down, so i doubt you will be able to. read it!

This book is not only the greatest book I have ever read, but also probably one of the greatest books ever written. Eiji Yoshikawa follows the life of the brash young Takezo up to his transformation into Shimmen Miyamoto Musashi perfectly. I reccomend this to anyone looking for an enthralling tale that also shows gret insight into the life and culture of feudal Japan.

Probably the best book of feudal Japan that I have had the pleasure to read. Can not wait for Book II to be printed again.

I found this book truly enchanting as it transported me back nearly 4 centuries to the romantisized times of feudal Japan. You can almost say you've met the real historical figures of Miyamoto Musashi, a shugyosha (samurai on a road of discovery) learning how precious life is and what it means to offer it up in the service of his lord, and Takuan Soho, one of the most esteemed but happily eccentric Buddhist monks of the time. Other historic figures are also abound in this epics work. All this is carried out by Eiji Yoshikawa, who successfully taps into the Japanese cultural psyche for convincing characters.
One word of warning, however, this book can be absorbing and is the first part of a five part series. You may find yourself hungering for more at the end but, I haven't seen Book II The Art of War on Amazon's book list. The others, fortunately, are here.

MB1 is a great start.I really enjoyed the first installment(book) of the series.I've already read the 2nd book as well and I am awaiting the 3rd in the series.I paid 4 dollars for it.It was in very good shape(rated acceptable)and showed up fairly quick. Overall great deal for a great Read!!!!

I was told by a friend that this was a really good book, and So I bought it. At first I was a little put off by the many different names that were hard for me to pronounce let alone read, but soon I was unable to put the book down. I was finished in 2 days and it only took that long because I have kids to look after. I fell in love with the period in which the story takes place and you'll be drawn to the books that follow Musashi. This is the perfect book to read when you want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern times.

I first read this story about 12 or 13 years ago when I was entering my teens. Corgi originally released the first book in the series here in the UK at about that same time, and it took over a year for the series to be completed. However the story itself was written in 1935, first being printed in serialized form in one of Japans most famous newspapers, the Asahi Shimbun. The story is a very powerful one that keeps you within its grasp all the way throughout. As well as captivating your mind it captures your heart and your soon so entranced within the story itself that you actually feel that your there, experiencing it with Musashi. Along with a well devised plot that doesn't drift too far from the truth, there's an educational side that goes with it, that teaches you in great detail about feudal Japan, its people and its places and it does this without ever leaving the story. You will finish this book with a good knowledge and understanding of japans history and all without the need for history books. The characters are so well detailed, you can actually picture them very clearly in your head. Its a story that is so well written, so detailed and so enthralling that you actually forget that your living here in the present. Yoshikawa tells the story in such a powerfully romantic way that it might actually make you stop and think about yourself. All in all this book is a must buy. Out of the many books that I have read, this story is not only the best, but it's a story that I will hold in my heart for eternity. You may find yourself never ever wanting to lose this story but most of all, you will be so grateful that you found it.

I felt that this was an amazing book! There was action that was in no way excessive as well as intrigue and philosophy. It is the first book in an amazingly well written series the chronicle the life of Miyamoto Musashi, the man who was the epitome of bushido. This book would be a great read for anyone who finds fuedal Japan even remotely interesting.