The Samurai Sourcebook

by Stephen Turnbull

Book Overview

In the ARMS & ARMOUR SOURCEBOOK series, this comprehensive reference work, first published in 1998, on samurai history and culture explains both strategy and tactics, with details of command... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1854095234
• ISBN13: 9781854095237
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Cassell
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.5" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Great book about samurai...

The book is great for those who like the subject "battles" or those who just want to spend some time learning something VERY interesting about japanese culture. In The SAMURAI Sourcebook, you will find: the banners of some of japanese clans (and some of their meanings); a list of battles and sieges hardly found in other sources; how the japanese army worked; the history of the raise of Tokugawa Shogunate, and; much, much more. I really think you don't have to be a "battle lover" as I am to enjoy this book. For example, I beleave most people would like to know how a samurai wore his armor (the book shows, step-by-step how to wear the samurai armor), how japanese soldiers prepared and took their food to campaing, how was the "japanese siege" and the "japanese warfare" and how to kill a man with a single hit in the eye (JUST KIDDING FOR THIS LAST EXAMPLE)!!! Hope you enjoy if you buy, H. Bill.

Good Reference for a Medium Level Scholar

The Samurai Sourcebook is made as a reference book consisting of the following chapters: an outline samurai history, personalities and heraldry, arms and armour, strategy and tactics, battles and sieges, case studies and miscellanea. It also contains some useful maps and index. The Sourcebook is quite helpful in studying Japanese medieval history. The author, Steven Turnbull, is a well-known writer on the subject and the Sourcebook, as well as other books by him, is well researched and written and is an easy read both by itself (especially case studies and strategies section) and as a supplement to other books.However, a word of caution: those who look for a serious in-depth research will be disappointed. This book does not state such goal, it was created for easy reference. But, to say only that would also be not a complete picture. Strategies and warcraft are given a well researched presentation. Various aspects of warcraft including castle building and their use in control of newly acquired territorial possessions, use of single combat and various types of arms, communication on battlefield and types and components of armour are described in good (for a layman, at least) detail.Case studies are very well presented and provide useful information on Mongol invasions, Hideyoshi's campaigns against sohei (or warrior monks in lay language), Shimabara rebellion and some other important subjects. In addition, one will find such interesting and not-so-often described subjects as description of battle formations, various lucky and unlucky signs (found in faces of slain warriors!), classification of samurai exploits in battles and much more.I would highly recommend the Sourcebook to those interested in samurai history.

Excellent Book

Excellent source of information. This book has helped me put key people and places together with times. Superb reading and study material. Dr. Turnbull has made learning fun and interesting.

Another great Sengoku Jidai reference book

I have an extensive collection of Sengoku Jidai literatures and I am pleased with the contents of this book. It's thorough, offering descriptions of most samurai of this period and most importantly; includes case studies of significant battles. Although the book does not venture in great length of the subject but it's a worthy book in anyone's library.

The best book on the subject I have ever read

Stephen Turnbull is one of the best authors on the subject of Japanese History, and this book only goes further in showing it. This book has everything one needs to know about Samurai, from actual people to battles. While it at times doesn't go into great lengths on the subject it still stands out with a lot of info.