Samurai - The Last Warrior --by John Man

Samurai —The Last Warrior—A History —by Jon Man 

Nonfiction / Japanese History

352 pages / 6478 KB

5 Stars

I believe I own, and have read, all of Mr. Man's books. This one was not a disappointment.

I did not realize, when I ordered the book, that it was about Saigo Takamori, but it would have made no difference, I would have ordered it anyway.

This is a well-written book on the history of the Samurai, how they came to be, and how they came to cease. Long interested in Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, I have read several books on the subject and this book was the most easily acceptable of them all.

When John Man uses footnotes, and he does, they are where they belong, at the bottom of the page, not somewhere in the back of the book. That alone earns him gold stars in my book!

Saigo Takamori, the last samurai, was a man of contradictions. When the Meiji period began, he did what he could to help it, even though it went against the Bushido he loved. He loved his Emperor above all else, and led a rebellion against him. A samurai to the bone, when the end came, he lost his head. He lost his battle. He became a hero to the people.

If you are at all interested in the history of Japan, the Tokugawa's (Shogun), Bushido, and Saigo Takamori, this is the book to read. Well researched, well-written, easily accessible by the non-scholar. And when you finish reading this book, leave your review, and then read his other books.

Ninja: 1,000 Years of the Shadow Warrior - A New History by John Man

Nonfiction / History  

320 pages / 1674 KB

5 Stars

I have read most of John Man's books, and thoroughly enjoyed them. As a historian, he knows how to do his research, as a travel writer, he knows how to make the places come alive on the page. If you're looking for a text book, go to another book. If you're looking for some interesting history and tidbits on Japan and the Ninja, this is the book for you.

There are footnotes scattered throughout. They are real footnotes at the bottom, or foot, of the page, not the abomination sweeping the publishing world called endnotes where you may or may not find them at the end of the chapter or book.

My biggest take away from the book was the difference between Ninja and Samurai. Ninja (who, by the way, preferred dark blue rather than black clothing) had the idea it was better to live and fight another day. Samurai prefer an honorable death at any cost.

Why, you may ask, did the Ninja prefer dark blue to black? It blends in with shadows better on a bright moonlight night. And most Ninja were farmers, and most farmers wore dark (indigo) blue clothing.

A lot of questions I had, some I hadn't realized I had, were answered in this easily read and very enjoyable book. Remember, this is not a textbook filled with dates and names and dry facts. Man is a travel writer, who is also a historian, and combines the two well. This book is a nice trip to Japan—both past and present and highly recommended.