The Samurai (Elite) [Paperback]

Anthony J. Bryant (Author)

Book Description

Series: Elite | Publication Date: May 25, 1989

Osprey's examination of Japan's Samurai warriors of the medieval period. Perhaps the greatest warriors in history, the Samurai were a product of a social system totally geared to war. The Samurai became expert in fighting both on horseback and on the ground. Their way of life was dictated by the code of Bushido or 'way of the warrior' and clad in their magnificent, multi-coloured armour they were perfectly suited to the violent clan and dynastic warfare that dominated medieval Japan as the most powerful families vied for supremacy. In this title Anthony J Bryant presents a fascinating overview of these truly élite warriors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A concise overview of Japanese history through the feudal years, with a glance at the class of Samurai, weapons and armour, and supplemented by an abundance of photographs, diagrams and illustrations." -Patty Papageorgiou, Historicus Forma (September 2005)

Language Notes

Text: English, French, German

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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 25, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850458978
• ISBN-13: 978-0850458978
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #820,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good Osprey book, September 14, 2005

By 

Ms Peel "ms_peel" (Kingston, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Samurai (Elite) (Paperback)

A previous amateur reviewer has complained that this book is "obsessed with armour" and that he wishes this book gave a more definitive history of the Samurai. Well, what were you expecting from this series? It's primarily directed at re-enactors and model makers who really need all of those nitpicky details. If you're really serious about studying the history of Japan, then go to the library and crack some serious history books. This book, like others in the series, gives a good introduction to a particular time period and location and a good overview of the material culture.

6 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bizarre fixation on armor, March 27, 2003

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Samurai (Elite) (Paperback)

This book has an obsessive fixation on armor. It is actually very annoying, not to mention quite strange. What is the deal with all of Anthony Briant's book and this fixation on armor? Jeeez! It goes into way too much detail about the armor (every name for every little strap and hook) and is just way more than the layperson needs to know when trying to understand the samurai. I can't even read through it because it's so mundane. There is so much more that one needs to understand about the samurai besides their armor, and this book does little to remedy that. What little discussion there is of the other apsects of the samurai's lives and training is useful, but it is only a small part of the book. The title of this book should be changed to "Armor of the Samurai".