- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Perseus Books (13 April 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0762438509
- ISBN-13: 978-0762438501
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,353,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As someone who has always been fascinated by Samurai, I've always wanted an insight into their origins and history. This book is terrific, it gives a complete start to finish history without being bogged down in superfluous details (I like that it's "a brief..." approach). The origin of their title, Katana and social standing was a complete revelation (who would of guessed). Mr Clements' choice of stories, which he recounts in detail, are inspired, because so many of them are the basis of Japanese manga\ anime\ TV series I have seen- the history that has been turned into stories and folklore which are in turn used in fictional entertainment- inspired idea! I now know where a fictional story differs from the real history.
This book is for anyone who WANTS to know about Samurai first and Japanese history second.
This book is for anyone who WANTS to know about Samurai first and Japanese history second.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
`A Brief History of The Samurai' as it's name suggests, is a book that explores the history of the Japanese warriors without getting bogged down in excessive jargon or boring detail.
This book explores the rise of the Samurai, the various battles they fought in, the politics of the feudal lords who commanded them, the myths surrounding them and the impact of Samurai history on modern Japan.
This is well written, very clear and engaging and whilst some passages can be a touch dry, overall this book brings a certain colour and interest to this fascinating subject. On a minor note it would have been nice to have some illustrations and maps to clarify certain points raised and the last chapter, which links the Samurai to modern Japan, was a bit spurious and out of keeping with the rest of the book. But by and large this is a fascinating and informative read. This gives enough detail to make you feel informed, whilst not becoming stale or a slog to read and the assorted battles and wars made for gripping and exciting reading.
If Japan or the Samurai interest you in the slightest then I can heartily recommend this book and if you have a more in-depth interest then this is required reading and makes for a superb primer into the Samurai and their way of life.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
This book explores the rise of the Samurai, the various battles they fought in, the politics of the feudal lords who commanded them, the myths surrounding them and the impact of Samurai history on modern Japan.
This is well written, very clear and engaging and whilst some passages can be a touch dry, overall this book brings a certain colour and interest to this fascinating subject. On a minor note it would have been nice to have some illustrations and maps to clarify certain points raised and the last chapter, which links the Samurai to modern Japan, was a bit spurious and out of keeping with the rest of the book. But by and large this is a fascinating and informative read. This gives enough detail to make you feel informed, whilst not becoming stale or a slog to read and the assorted battles and wars made for gripping and exciting reading.
If Japan or the Samurai interest you in the slightest then I can heartily recommend this book and if you have a more in-depth interest then this is required reading and makes for a superb primer into the Samurai and their way of life.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a good introduction for anyone new to Samurai history. It is objective, succinct and written in a readable style.
While it covers virtually every major milestone in Samurai history, I felt it skimmed through some of the more exciting events such as the Mongol Invasion, the Onin war, the age of the Unifiers Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. If you are interested in the machinations, tactics and intrigue of the Samurai, I recommend the works of Stephen Turnbull, especially the Osprey titles.
However, this title filled in a lot of gaps for me such as the reign of some of Shogun Ieyasu's successors, including events leading to the Meiji restoration and the rebellion of Saigo Takamori - the so called Last Samurai. I thought the last chapter of the book was dry; a brief analysis of the Samurai in the collective Japanese psyche as manifested in media and other areas - this held no interest for me.
Good overview, good introduction but not for military historians.
While it covers virtually every major milestone in Samurai history, I felt it skimmed through some of the more exciting events such as the Mongol Invasion, the Onin war, the age of the Unifiers Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. If you are interested in the machinations, tactics and intrigue of the Samurai, I recommend the works of Stephen Turnbull, especially the Osprey titles.
However, this title filled in a lot of gaps for me such as the reign of some of Shogun Ieyasu's successors, including events leading to the Meiji restoration and the rebellion of Saigo Takamori - the so called Last Samurai. I thought the last chapter of the book was dry; a brief analysis of the Samurai in the collective Japanese psyche as manifested in media and other areas - this held no interest for me.
Good overview, good introduction but not for military historians.
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