Irish Marine | 23 Aug 2021 6:34 p.m. PST |
I have never read Shogun by James Clavell, but I did see the mini series years ago. I am interested in reading it now but I'd like to know if it's a enjoyable book. |
nnascati ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 23 Aug 2021 6:42 p.m. PST |
I read it years ago, and recall really enjoying it. |
John the OFM ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 23 Aug 2021 7:03 p.m. PST |
I liked it. If you can trust my judgement. ![grin grin](boards/icons/grin.gif) I remember the miniseries being very faithful to the book. Clavel had a bunch of very interesting books, including King Rat. It's set in the Changi POW camp in Singapore. Clavel was a POW there. Good movie too. Fascinating history in his novels. "If this is the kind of thing you like, you will like this kind of thing." ![grin grin](boards/icons/grin.gif) Then read "The Chinese Bandit", by Becker. A MARINE has adventures pulling a camel from Peking to Tibet. |
JLA105 | 23 Aug 2021 7:30 p.m. PST |
I've read it and I enjoyed it. |
Thatblodgettkid | 23 Aug 2021 7:38 p.m. PST |
I remember reading it and enjoying it. Having said that, I read it in the '90's and I don't know how faithful it was to history if that is important to you |
John the OFM ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 23 Aug 2021 7:52 p.m. PST |
History? Well, it was "based on" an English sailor. And it's "based on" blah blah blah. But as a novel, it feels right. |
walkabout | 23 Aug 2021 8:20 p.m. PST |
I think its a great book and the the mini-series is great also and you'll have learned some conversational Japanese. Need to watch it again to brush up on my Japanese. |
Lascaris | 23 Aug 2021 8:24 p.m. PST |
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Maha Bandula | 23 Aug 2021 9:51 p.m. PST |
I only just revisited the book this spring after first reading it exactly ten years ago. It's a page-turner! Best to avoid his Tai Pan though. In many ways it's a rehash of Shogun, except it actually predated the better known book. |
BillyNM | 24 Aug 2021 5:10 a.m. PST |
I enjoyed it – and the book on the true story behind it 'Samurai William' by Giles Milton. |
Stosstruppen ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 24 Aug 2021 5:29 a.m. PST |
I have been reading his Asian series interspersed with some other books. Have the last one, Noble House, coming up. I liked Shogun It is one of the better ones along with King Rat, and Whirlwind *(IMO the best of the ones I have read). Gaijin and Taipan are average I think. The Chinese Bandit sounds interesting, I'll have to look that up. |
skipper John | 24 Aug 2021 6:02 a.m. PST |
I like all of Clavell's stuff. "Shogun" has always been my very favorite. I read it after watching Richard Chamberlin play Blackthorn in the 1970's mini series. I painted a 15mm army then later in life a 28mm Samurai army and another to fight them, then Koreans and currently Ming. |
Irish Marine | 24 Aug 2021 6:32 a.m. PST |
I'm reading the Lost Samurai, about Samurai hiring out as mercenaries to the Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch. I'm halfway through, so I might paint up some Samurai to help my Portuguese fight the Dutch in Asia; the land mass not the 80's rock group. |
KSmyth | 24 Aug 2021 7:01 a.m. PST |
I think I was in college in the 70's when I read it. But I was captivated by it. Couldn't put it down. |
mad monkey 1 | 24 Aug 2021 7:12 a.m. PST |
Good book. In the same vein of books about different cultures, Aztec by Gary Jennings is also a good read. |
Cavcmdr | 24 Aug 2021 7:57 a.m. PST |
Shogun was the best of his books that I read. I think I read it three times over the years. It inspired me to buy too many 15mm Samurai! |
leidang | 24 Aug 2021 9:09 a.m. PST |
There are a couple of great out of print novels by David Charney set in feudal Japan. Sensei Sensei II: The Swordmaster |
Lucius | 24 Aug 2021 12:30 p.m. PST |
I read it last year, and it is still really great! |
ZULUPAUL ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 24 Aug 2021 2:21 p.m. PST |
I read it years ago & enjoyed it, Paul |
Peter C | 24 Aug 2021 2:51 p.m. PST |
Good read. Highly recommended |
bigdennis | 25 Aug 2021 9:51 a.m. PST |
Great book and great miniseries |
Dukewilliam | 25 Aug 2021 8:58 p.m. PST |
It's a good read, based (loosely) on real life Richard Adams. The names are changed,eg; Tokugawa Ieyasu is named Toronaga in the book, same with Odu Nobunaga and Ishida. The mini-series was good (for TV)(plus it had Toshiro Mifune in it!), but the book is 'grittier' and more real life like. I enjoyed it. Steve |