Samurai [Paperback]

Stephen Turnbull (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2001

Few countries have a warrior tradition as ancient and exciting as that of Japan--and it is embodied by one powerful and romantic figure: the loyal, self-sacrificing samurai. Exalted in stories, painting, and film, he was the valiant lone swordsman in battle, the ultimate individual combatant, but also a lover of beauty and nature. And for over 700 years, the samurai--whose name means "those who serve"--ruled Japan, struggling to protect the country from foreign influences. Their history and that of the nation are inseparably intertwined, and both unfold with the help of some 300 line drawings, photographs, and maps. Follow their rise between the 9th and 11th centuries A.D., their participation in over 600 years of civil war, and their role shift from knights on horseback to peacemaking administrators. Understand bushido, the complex code of conduct they lived by, and finally their decline and disappearance. A thrilling saga of an ever-fascinating warrior tribe.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Turnbull, from Leeds, W. Yorkshire, is recognized as the leading authority outside Japan on the samurai and Japan's early military history. He first visited Japan in 1970, and since then he has built up an expertise that has received worldwide recognition. He has a PhD from Leeds University in the United Kingdom, and is now an Honorary Research Fellow at the Department of East Asian Studies at Leeds. Among his previous works are books on the Japanese invasion of Korea and studies of siege weapons of the Far East. When not writing, he runs a picture library called Japan Archive and tends his Japanese-style garden. Stephen lives in Leeds. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: PRC Publishing (October 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856485935
• ISBN-13: 978-1856485937
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,925,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Pictorial Guide, January 24, 2006

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Samurai: The Story of Japan's Great Warriors (Hardcover)

I'm not certain why the "Samurai" bug bites readers but in my case I lived outside Yokohama, Japan, on the Kanto Plain for 25 months between October, 1962, and December, 1964. (Please see also my review of Oliver Statler's early 1960's book, "Japanese Inn" for additional detail of this area).

Living only a stone's throw from the ancient Tokaido Road, once capital city Kamakura, and medieval Odawara castle, among many other sites, caused me to this very day to have an avocational interest for Japan in general and the Samurai in specific.

I have several of Stephen Turnbull's books, feeling him to be very well versed in all aspects of this field to the point of being a notable expert in that area. The term "expert" is bandied about these days oft times without substance or merit, but in Mr. Turnbull's case it is well justified.

This particular book is one I purchased a year ago, and for the price was very pleased with its content. Should one look into it a reader would find it a good, comprehensive guide to the Japanese warriors known as 'samurai'. There are specific armor and weaponry illustrations and descriptions, as well as four "see-through vellum sections" where each layer of clothing and protective armour offers insight into the dress of these warriors. The text flows evenly and can readily be understood. Should the reader be new to this area of study this volume would easily serve as a great introductory volume.

This oversize book is amply illustrated in color, and in 256 pages offers magnificently "the story of Japan's great warriors".

Semper Fi.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Introduction, December 7, 2007

By 

K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samurai: The Story of Japan's Great Warriors (Hardcover)

This book would serve as an excellent introduction to someone who has read little or nothing on the samurai; it covers their history from the days of the Yayoi tribesmen to their overthrow during the Meiji Restoration, and provides much readable detail on their culture, organization, religious beliefs, armor, clothing, and most interestingly, the full range of their deadly arsenal.

Though I have maintained a strong interest in the samurai for several years and have read many books on them, I still learned some things from this book (notably that they used axes in battle, as well as clubs and maces). Anything by Stephen Turnbull can be pretty much guaranteed to be well worth one's money. In short, this book would be especially good for beginners but worthwhile for veterans of Japanese military history as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Primer, January 13, 2011

By 

Matt Busse - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Samurai (Paperback)

Very interesting account of the rise and the fall of the samurai in Japan. Plus, the over-sized book is full of gorgeous artwork from the different time periods. But be warned, after reading this historical account, you might lose some of the romatic notions you had about the samurai...