The Samurai Sourcebook (Arms & Armour Source Books) [Paperback]

Stephen Turnbull (Author)

Book Description

Series: Arms & Armour Source Books | Publication Date: October 2000

Brave, invincible warriors, fighting sword in hand against overwhelming odds. Those were the Samurai. In this comprehensive, enthralling, illustration-filled look at their history, personalities, strategies, costume, and campaign you'll find every detail of their armor and weaponry, as well as information on the Samurai army's development, its organization, and the fighters' feudal obligation. Follow the evolution of the sword and polearms, plus, the technology and deployment of explosives. Take a peek into castle life and the rituals of battle. Case studies, often based on contemporary chronicles, diaries and official records, focus in on the most important invasions and combat situations from 940 to 1638, and religious traditions. A full range of maps chart wartime changes. 320 pages, 175 b/w illus., 7 3/4 x 10.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr Stephen Turnbull has made himself the world's expert on the Samurai, using his years of diligent research to publish a whole series of bestselling Samurai histories. He is widely employed as a consultant authority on Japanese history and religion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cassell (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854095234
• ISBN-13: 978-1854095237
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,405,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Reference for a Medium Level Scholar, September 25, 2001

By 

T Kibatullin (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Samurai Sourcebook (Arms & Armour Source Books) (Paperback)

The Samurai Sourcebook is made as a reference book consisting of the following chapters: an outline samurai history, personalities and heraldry, arms and armour, strategy and tactics, battles and sieges, case studies and miscellanea. It also contains some useful maps and index. The Sourcebook is quite helpful in studying Japanese medieval history. The author, Steven Turnbull, is a well-known writer on the subject and the Sourcebook, as well as other books by him, is well researched and written and is an easy read both by itself (especially case studies and strategies section) and as a supplement to other books.
However, a word of caution: those who look for a serious in-depth research will be disappointed. This book does not state such goal, it was created for easy reference. But, to say only that would also be not a complete picture. Strategies and warcraft are given a well researched presentation. Various aspects of warcraft including castle building and their use in control of newly acquired territorial possessions, use of single combat and various types of arms, communication on battlefield and types and components of armour are described in good (for a layman, at least) detail.
Case studies are very well presented and provide useful information on Mongol invasions, Hideyoshi's campaigns against sohei (or warrior monks in lay language), Shimabara rebellion and some other important subjects. In addition, one will find such interesting and not-so-often described subjects as description of battle formations, various lucky and unlucky signs (found in faces of slain warriors!), classification of samurai exploits in battles and much more.
I would highly recommend the Sourcebook to those interested in samurai history.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A usable overview of samurai with some errors, August 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Samurai Sourcebook (Arms & Armour Source Books) (Paperback)

I've found this a useful introduction, but as I delve into the topic as covered by other authors and even by Turnbull's later publications, I discover numerous errors and important omissions.

The section on samurai personalities would be an extremely useful source if it weren't so brief. The information on each individual is often so short as to omit critically important facts.

The section on battles and sieges is also a useful section as an overview.

NOTE: The dates given for events are only accurate to the year as Turnbull has translated lunar calendar dates directly over. The 13th day of the fourth month of the year 1592 (May 24th) becomes "13 April 1592". Keep this in mind if you reference these dates against other works.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Sengoku Jidai reference book, July 25, 2000

By 

I. Mak "IshiM" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Samurai Sourcebook (Hardcover)

I have an extensive collection of Sengoku Jidai literatures and I am pleased with the contents of this book. It's thorough, offering descriptions of most samurai of this period and most importantly; includes case studies of significant battles. Although the book does not venture in great length of the subject but it's a worthy book in anyone's library.