Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 An impressive and interesting book, although long and not easy August 31, 2007
I am not exactly a Japanese history expert but I read some books about samurai, novels (including "Shogun" of course) as well as non fiction and this is may be the reason why I managed to go through this book quite easily. Still, I recognise that if you are new in this topic, it is better to read something about the historical background of Toyotomi Hideyoski and Oda Nobunaga, before attacking this very long book.
This being said I was greatly impressed by this major book by Eiji Yoshikawa. Now, I was already a little familiar with his style, having read "The Heike story", but it is not absolutely necessary. In fact the translation in English was so well made that "Taiko" is quite easy to read (a deep bow to the translator here). What is a little bit harder is the number of characters (almost all of them historical) and of the battles - there is no way you can actually keep track of all of them, but even then, the book still holds its own. Now, this is a sad story, because although the hero is rising, we also see a great number of courageous and noble characters being destroyed in the process. A good thing is that the author didn't try to portray Hideyoshi as a "good guy" and his ennemies as "bad guys". In fact the fight for the domination of Japan in XVI century was waged by numerous warlords, of whom few could be described as true villains - and it is well shown in the book.
This succession of wars, battles, massacres, murders and suicides can be at the very end a little depressing - but it is nevertheless a great read and a great story about an exceptionnal and unexpected great warrior and politician. I warmly recommend it.
 Disappointing read... March 12, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love historical novels, and I loved Shogun...and bought this hoping for more of the same. I have to say it disappointed me. The action was too "fast paced," skimming over the excitment too quickly, and consequently lacking suspense. There is also a bewildering array of characters and breadth - I suspect previous reviewers were Japanese experts, but for the amateur like me it was pretty heavy going. In the end I gave up because the story just wasn't gripping me.
A jolly good read June 1, 2004
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
My early favourite was Shogun and now this action packed adventure story puts that in context.
An excellent adventure written as if you were actually there living the story. I could hardly put the book down. An Eastern gone with the wind. I think not. On a higher plane altogether
Ultimate Samurai read February 16, 2004
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you have any interest in Feudal Japan you should already own it. This book although a fantastic read has it's main benefit in giving you the insight as to what it was like to live in those times from commoner to lord.
Masterpiece November 2, 2003
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
An absoulute must read for anyone who want to see Sun Tzu's Art Of War in practice. This book gives an acurate picture of the waring periode of japan, when provincial warlords vied for the title of shogun. The book follows the struggle of Hideyoshi in his attempt to become a samurai of worth, which he achives (and then some). Although a book about about Hideyoshi it also delves into the lives of the other warlords, notibly the the great Oda Nobunaga who had a reputation for ruthfullness and recklesness, i found myself enjoying reading more of Nobunaga than Hideyoshi, but in the end there is no doubt who had the best qualities for the title of Shogun. The book is written in a style which gives the impresion that Yoshikawa was there with these extraordinary charecters. The best book ever
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