Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #489158 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-02
• Binding: Paperback
• 1136 pages

Customer Reviews

Absolutely A Must Read!
James Clavell has written many books. This book is my favorite. I picked this book up and couldn't put it down. Clavell has a way with words that make it seem as if you are there in Japan with the characters. Be warned though. This book is intense. Once you start it, you will want to finish it. They made a movie out of this book, but it just wasn't the same.
If you have the time, pick up this book and journey to the land and culture of Japan. Learn what it takes to become a Shogun! What a masterpiece.

Shogun
This is an old classic as far as I am concerned. As you read through the book, it gives you an insight into the elegant and committed life style of the Japanese culture. I've read this book at least 4 times and decided to get a copy for keepsake as I lost a previous copy in one of my travels.

THE MASTERPIECE THAT POPULARIZED MEDIEVAL JAPAN TO THE WEST!
This is the novel that introduced the Samurai's bushido, daimyos rivalries and the bakufu Shogunate to the average westerner. Through the eyes of a shipwrecked navigator, Blackthorn, a previously hermetically closed world is revealed.

From battle ethics and sepuku to hygiene and tea ceremonies, the interwoven narrative lines flow harmonically, like carps in a Zen rock garden pool. Beautiful, economical and seamless, Clavell's insights on human nature have produced another Masterpiece.

Like most of James Clavell's novels, SHOGUN is a thinly veiled historical story. There was a "Blackthorn" (English pilot William Adams), as well as a "Torenaga" (Shogun Tokugawa whose dynasty ruled Japan for over 200 years). However, like most James Clavell's novels, the story comes alive in some many ways it is pure enjoyment!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

PS:
There is a 1980 TV mini series based on this book - of comparable merit. Casting Toshiro Mifune and Richard Chamberlain was just the tip of the iceberg. Truly beautiful production. Nevertheless, my advice is to first read the book and only THEN watch the TV version.