Customer Reviews

Samurai Warfare

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Samurai warfare is a great book for one to read whom are interested in the ways of Samurai warfare. Turnbull did not go into so much detail about personalities, (he does that in a earlier book he wrote, The Samurai). My main disappointment in the book was (to me) not as many peices of art work as I'd like to have seen. As for the art work itself it is wonderful. Hats off to the artist. He did so much better then the one in Turnbulls previous book. I like Turnbulls writing style. He writes in a way one can understand and follow easily. The photography is very good and clear work. Highly reccomend.

With lavish illustrations and comprehensive text, "Samurai Warfare" by Dr. Stephen Turnbull gives the reader an overveiw of Japans elite soldier caste from the earliest use of the term to the advent of gun powder in Samurai warfare.
For those just delving into this ancient and mystic age in Japans history, Samurai Warfare offers the reader an easy to understand primer in the history of those responsible for enforcing the will of the Emporer and Nobles

Really informative. I was actually surprised! Some really nice pictures in the book also. After reading, I now have a thorough understanding of Samurai, warrior monks, japanese warfare, etc.

Good introductory text on Samurai warfare and culture. A little light on details, but the author makes up for it with the ancedotes he relates. Case studies in the last chapters are worth the price of admission alone.

I liked this a lot I must say. It taks a lot about the samurai warefare tactics like fire and other tactics used. They have tactics ranging from the early samurai periods to the tokugawa shogunate and the introduction of Guns. This a book That a recommend highly. Get it for fun, school, project, or knowledge, it's worth your money. Look for Samurai Warriors if you want to know about weapons and armor and samurai though. It from the same arthur(Stephen Turnbull)and it's a great book with colorfull illustrations and everthing.

I've been a fan of Stephen Turnbull's informative and beautiful Samurai books since the early 90's, when I discovered his books in my local library. This is one of his best, much better than many of his recent works. If you're interested in the Ikko-Ikki sects, the warrior monks, or the conquests of Oda Nobunaga, this book delivers!

After the concise overview of the dynamic changes in samurai warfare over the centuries, Turnbull rewards the reader with informational case studies toward the end of the book. Although somewhat short on specific details and explanatory maps (maps at more frequent intervals during the campaign study would have been helpful), the strength of the book lies in its analysis of the specific construction of the hatamoto of certain daimyo. In addition, the analysis of the Battle of Anegawa (along with additional research by the reader) provides a good reference for scenario construction by gamers and hobbyists. Overall, Turnbull provides an inspirational resource.

Although very brief, and covering a lot of ground, this book takes a new look at some familiar topics (familiar to students of Japanese military history, that is!). There are some fascinating surprises here, such as the Kuniyoshi illustration of a samurai musketeer with a rather ominous-looking gun and sashimono. The color reproductions of key paintings are extremely detailed and sharp.