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The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi
 
 
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The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi [Hardcover]

William Scott Wilson
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Kodansha International Ltd (Sep 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 477002942X
  • ISBN-13: 978-4770029423
  • Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 13.7 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 232,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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William Scott Wilson
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Product Description

Review


"Asked to name the best swordsman ever, most Japanese would pick Musashi, the famous 17th-century samurai turned artist who is the subject of more than 50 movies and dozens of books. But most of those focus on his superior warrior skills. This fascinating new biography by Wilson, an American translator of samurai literature, goes much deeper, seeking to explain what ultimately drove Musashi from sword-fighting to Zen teachings, ink paintings and writing. He literally embodies the adage 'the pen is mightier than the sword." -Newsweek International


This is the perfect book to satiate your desire to experience the sacrifices and triumphs inherent to a life lived by the sword. Flaunt


"While Miyamoto Musashi is one of the martial arts world's favorite warriors, relatively little is known about him. Thanks to historian William Scott Wilson, that's about to change. In The Lone Samurai: the Life of Miyamoto Musashi, Wilson presents a detailed account of the Japanese swordsman's

Product Description

The first biography of this world-renowned and undefeated swordsman, The Lone Samurai follows the dramatic escapades of Musashi - author of The Book of Five Rings - from his initial victory at the age of 13 to his early 'retirement' at 30 to pursue a more spiritual path. Wilson provides a riveting account of Musashi's trials and his triumphs, as well as a portrait of the turbulent and dangerous times in which he lived. The author supplements the story with fascinating insights into Musashi's mind - how he turned his opponents' strength against them, how he outwitted even the most skilful assailant, how he honed and eventually perfected his style of swordsmanship and philosophy.

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Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
The perfect biography 30 Aug 2009
Format:Hardcover
Having read "Go Rin No Sho" this was the next book i picked up with the aim of learning more about Musashi. This was everything i wanted from this book, a fleshed out and full story of Musashi's life as well as the lives of the warriors he faught and his family. If you are interested in Samurai, the ancient Japanese way of life or Bushido this book will be a satisfying read.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
William Scott Wilson is a talented writer and translator, and this attempt to uncover the man behind the legend of Miyamoto Musashi is his best work in my opinion. "Lone Samurai" goes very well as a partner to his translation of The Book of Five Rings, but works as a stand alone read for anyone remotely interested in the subject.
It is by no means difficult to read either, and the authors use of a reference section at the back to further explain points in the text is extremely useful.
It is one of the most informative and entertaining books I have ever read.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Terry Tozer TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Miyamoto Musashi has to be one of the greatest Samurai that ever lived and his lives exploits and adventures are thrilling and exciting to read.

Who better then than the highly talented and travelled William Scott Wilson to translate this historical masterpiece.

I'm going to have to read it again so that I can give you a better review. Amazon deleted my last one, (along with 150 other reviews!) which detailed the stories in the book.....but....it's just the sort of well written and EXCITING book that you would want to re-read anyway.

If you're into Japanese culture, history and Budo (Martial Arts), then this title should take pride of place in your library!
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