Samurai Commanders (2): 1577-1638 (Elite) (Vol 2) [Paperback]

Stephen Turnbull (Author), Richard Hook (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: August 10, 2005

This second volume about Japan's samurai commanders covers the generals of the later years of the Age of the Warring States (Sengoku period), a period when only the most able leaders survived. This was a time when the prowess of a commander was measured as much by his strategic and organizational abilities as by his individual fighting skills and he was expected to give as great a show of strength in the council chamber as on the battlefield. This book discusses the lives, battles and wider roles of talented commanders such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi - great men who stood out prominently due to their elaborate suits of armour and helmets, their stunning personal heraldry and their great armies.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Stephen Turnbull took his first degree at Cambridge University, and received a PhD from Leeds University for his research into Japanese religious history. His work has been recognised by the awarding of the Canon Prize of the British Association for Japanese Studies and a Japan Festival Literary Award. He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Leeds, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (August 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841767441
• ISBN-13: 978-1841767444
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,093,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Should be re-titled "Shogun: The Life and Times of Tokugawa Ieyasu" by AL Sadler, March 22, 2010

By 

Kan Yamamoto - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Samurai Commanders (2): 1577-1638 (Elite) (Vol 2) (Paperback)

Once again Turnbull turns out re-hashed content in this book, and once again, it isn't even content from one of his previous books. It seems like Turnbull just opened up AL Sadler's "Shogun: The Life and Times of Tokugawa Ieyasu" and paraphrased from that has he pleased. Turnbull's words about Sassa Narimasa are so close to Sadler's that the "p" word comes to mind. And the horrible irony of it all is that Turnbull wrote the intro to the new edition of Sadler's book on Ieyasu published by Tuttle-- and it's a shame---for as much as Sadler has "given" to Turnbull, his words about Sadler and his book really aren't all that inspiring.

Turnbull seems to excel at shoddy research and cranking out pop history books one after. Occasionally, Turnbull does write a well-researched and original work, such as "Samurai Invasion" and "Samurai and the Sacred" Even his recent release on the Satsuma Invasion of Okinawa isn't too bad for an Osprey release. But this book is just another piece of schlock that Turnbull should be embarrassed by. If you want to read more about samurai commanders between 1577-138 and and see where Turnbull got most of his info and even some uncannily similar lines, buy AL Sadler's "Shogun: The Life and Times of Tokugawa Ieyasu".

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent as usual, July 29, 2011

By 

Dese (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Samurai Commanders (2): 1577-1638 (Elite) (Vol 2) (Paperback)

As usual Turnbull has another great book. Just as it was in Samurai Commanders Vol. 1, so it is with this book. Turnbull focus on each commander briefly. I'm sure there is more to tell of each commander if there were space in the book. But what is there are to the point overviews of each persona. And as always this book like most Osprey books has such wonderful artwork. Both Vol.1 and 2. are very good books full of photos, artwork and information. Either book would make a great addition to anyone's refernece books on the Samurai.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Samurai book ever!, November 28, 2008

By 

Heather Dixon "Book Samurai" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Samurai Commanders (2): 1577-1638 (Elite) (Vol 2) (Paperback)

I love this book. I love it. I carry it with me when ever I'm out and need a quick read or need to cite a date or name to a "samurai buddy". IT has some of the most legendary warlords in existence including my absolute favorite, Date Masamune. The paintings are wonderful and dead on accurate to famous armors. I lent this to a friend at work and it was so good his dog chewed it, needless to say he is replacing it but I still can't part with the original I bought a few years ago. The first time I glanced at the pages I was absorbed. Turnbull does it again! A great "mini" guide for samurai fanatics and a supreb introduction to those with just a mild interest.