CompleteMartialArts.com - Early Samurai AD 200-1500 (Elite)
|
List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $16.15
Your Save: $ 1.80 ( 10% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
|
Average Customer Rating:  
|
|
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.00952
EAN: 9781855321311
ISBN: 1855321319
Label: Osprey Publishing
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 64
Publication Date: 1991-05-23
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Release Date: 1991-05-23
Studio: Osprey Publishing
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
War played a central part in the history of Japan. Warring clans controlled much of the country. The wars were usually about land, the struggle for control of which eventually gave rise to perhaps the most formidable warriors of all time: the Samurai. Ancient Yayoi warriors developed weapons, armour and a code during the ensuing centuries that became the centrepiece for the Japanese Samurai. Anthony Bryant chronicles the history, arms and armour of these truly élite warriors, from the rise of the Yayoi through the Genpei War between the Minamoto and Taira clans to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Misleading title
Comment: I was very disappointed by this book. I expected to get a book about the early samurai and, instead, I got a book which focused mainly on the history of early Japan. Half of the text is taken up by an excellent, but unwanted history of Japan's early political development. That's NOT what I paid for.
There's very little discussion of training, tactics, and weaponry. Armor is covered well, but the author insists on referring to all components by their japanese names. My Japanese is non-existent and I kept asking myself why the author couldn't just write "breastplate" instead occasionally.
Weapons aren't covered well. There is a drawing on page 16 of early swords which are very different than the curved katana sword we associate with later samurai. The text doesn't mention these swords (keeping in mind that the sword was supposedly the "soul of the samurai"), their evolution, variations, etc.
The b&w; photos and color plates are excellent as one could expect for an Osprey book.
I was very disappointed in this book and would caution readers seeking more information on early samurai that this book will offer them little other than the color plates.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Samurai, bushido, and clan-wars-so it begins
Comment: Meticulous armor details and visually appealing artwork (McBride) makes this a worthy addition to Osprey's books of samurai interest, and it focuses on a little known period. For a reader seeking less armor detail and more on what these guys actually did, I would recommend some of Stephen Turnbull's books in addition to his Osprey titles. Again, the plates were awesome; I especially liked Queen Himiko and the sohei.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A brief history of early samurai -- a bit too brief
Comment: Although this book is easy to read and follow, I found it that it skimmed the surface a bit much. It glosses over many important events and people who were instrumental to the development of the warrior & samurai class, without delving too much into anything. I think that the format of this entire series is more at fault than the author is; however, a more informative, detailed, and equally easy to read is Turnbull's "A Military History".
The one thing which this book does cover very well is the armor, and Bryant probably does know what he is talking about, as he is an armor specialist. This mismatch between the very deep armor and the quite shallow history made me confused as to who the author's intended audience was supposed to be.
Customer Rating:
Summary: the first Bushi
Comment: Osprey's Elite series run about 64 pages, which allow for a greater scope or more detail on a given subject. Although this title covers 1300 years (!), the subject is medieval Japan, so it is narrow enough. The evolution of Japanese body armor is worth the price alone. Surprisingly, there are no period illustrations. Photos and drawings of reconstructions are more than adequate, however. An extra long set of color plates by Angus McBride are, as always, wonderful. NO MAP???!!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: there is big error
Comment: I always enjoy reading Osprey books .it's informative, and easy to read.However this title contain serious error . there weren't any kind of proof that certain Japanese army invaded Korea and conqured them moreover it was boosted by Japanese right -wing imperialist before they invade china and other asians contry to justify thier deed historically. except fo that ,it's worth readingand well illustrated .Angus Mcbrde's paltes is always superb..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
