Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #273461 in Books
• Published on: 1983-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 205 pages

Customer Reviews

What are you looking for?
If you are looking for a readable bio of Tokugawa Ieyasu in English, you have found one in Totman's. However, this is a rather lightweight historical work. Much of it was copied from a Japanese text, and the author admits this. Unfortunately, pickings on Tokugawa in English are slim. General works on Japan's 16th century are better. I recommend Boxer's The Christian Century in Japan, Elison's collection Warlords, Artists, and Commoners, and Sansom's A History of Japan: 1334-1615. They give a clearer picture of the times.

A Great Read about a Great Man
Tokugawa Ieyasu was probably one of the world's great leaders. He was patient and brilliant. He waited for just the right moment to make his move and unify Japan under his Shogunate. Unfortunately little is availible about this great man in English. Clavell's Shogun is a masterpiece based on Ieyasu's life, but ultimately fiction. Totman's book is a rare English biography of Ieyasu. And Totman wrote an excellent and highly readable account of Ieyasu's life.

Excellent Insight Into The Life of a Great Ruler!

"Tokugawa Ieyasu; Shogun" is a book written by Yale Professor Conrad Totman. The book is an excellent source of information and insight for those who are interested in Japanese history. Ieyasu was the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, who ruled Japan from 1600 to 1868. In this book, Totman describes the life of Ieyasu, from a younger man who is fighting in various battles synonymous with the 16th century in Japan, all the way to his later years, in which he reflects on the accomplishments and improvements he has made for those living in Japan.

The book is a great read because of the realistic feel it gives to the reader. I felt as if I were there with Ieyasu during the exploits contained in the book. The style of writing is nothing short of outstanding, and given the content in the book is based on actual history makes it an even more compelling read. There is a natural, chronological progression of Ieyasu's development in this book, from his youthful years fighting on the battlefield, all the way to the latter periods of his life, when he reflects on his accomplishments and contributions to the Japanese society.

One may argue that the development of a leader of Ieyasu's stature is a natural progression; the manner in which it is presented in this book makes for a great read. The detail and feeling involved are a credit to Professor Totman's work in this area, despite the scant amount of work available in English. If you are taking a course in Japanese History, this is an excellent book to pick up so you can get a feel for how the political and social systems worked at the time, while experiencing the excitement and dilemma faced by the catalyst of the Era of Tokugawa Rule.