Shogun

Rating:
Summary: Amazing look at feudel japan
Review: This was awesome. It had the perfect characters and setting. I learned a whole lot about history. This is heart breaking story of an English captain stranded on the shore of Japan, and by chance swept up into a civil war.

Rating:
Summary: I'm amazed I'd never heard of it; superb, to say the least.
Review: I've always loved to read, but lately it's been much harder to find any interesting books. I found Shogun in a used bookstore for $1.00, and knew just from the first five pages it was the best $1.00 I could ever spend. I was born on a US Air Base in Japan and have always been immensly interested in the culture, the people, not just the statistics I could find in text books. I can't imagine a better insight into Japan, short of visiting it, than this book. My thanks to the late Mr. Clavell for a great book, and for reminding me how closed off I am in my own corner of the world.

Rating:
Summary: It's that once in a life time book that means so much!
Review: Once in a life time you come across a book that has special meaning to you and holds a place in your heart forever. This is that book. Mr.Clavell's story is informative, romantic, exciting and has a rare ability to make you see everything differently. Sadly, like all books it ends leaving you missing your favorite characters.

Rating:
Summary: Definate read
Review: This book gives a very accurate depiction of Feudal Japan and the Japanese people. The fact that it is so culturally accurate makes it interesting to follow the several subplots. Definately worth the time.

Rating:
Summary: YOUR LIFE WON'T BE THE SAME
Review: I finished reading "Shogun" a few hours ago, and now feel compelled to say a few words not so much to future readers, but to the fraternity of past readers who've also been compelled to write a few words of their own. "Shogun" is an awe-inspiring novel. Is it a work of literature? No. Is it even well-written? Not particularly. Is it a devastating and beautiful human document? Yes. Yes. And yes. "Shogun" will grip your mind and soul like no other book. You will fall in love with the characters. You will fall in love with Japan. And your mind will be expanded WAY BEYOND what you thought possible. In some ways, I'm surprised I'm writing these words at all; because I almost put the book down around page 400 due to too many clumsy descriptions. But I hung in there. And boy am I glad I did. A word of advice: you might want to jot down a few notes the first 200 pages, or so. I got confused many times about each character's family and history. But if you hang in there you'll be fine. I mentioned at the beginning I was writing this review mainly for past readers. And that's because I want you all to spread the word. Get as many friends as you can to read this book. This poor world of ours is so insular and racist. And each culture is sure it is the best one. Which is why we all need to take the time to explore other cultures and see other perspectives. Whether we agree with them or not. A little humility goes a long way. Anyhow, I'll get off my soap box now. And say a warm sayonara to all fellow Shogunites. It was a privilege reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Young persons review of an exciting and intriguing book
Review: This book is as well written as any book written today it captures your imagination and keeps you interested with it every line from start to finish (and thats a long way). It contains real life incidents but just with changed names (eg. Toranaga was actually a shogun called Tokugawa Iemasu) It makes you wonder how someone could get as much information as that AND make it into the most involving and brilliant book ever.It presents the charcters in the best possible way and makes you think that you are actually in Japan (I for one became highly inerested in Japanese history after reading this book). A definate buy I just hope that when I read Gai-Jin it will be half as good. Tom Walton 15, Ps. my gran used to know James Clavell (ha).

Rating:
Summary: A book any English speaking Japanese should read.
Review: The author,the late James Clavell, was one of the world famous historical fiction writers. Of all his books, the two books about Japan are the best. " Shogun" and " Gai Jin". One, not Japanese speaking person can even learn to speak some Japanese from James's"Shogun". Things like that happened in China over two thousand years ago, in England seven hundred years ago, and in Japan, which Clavell told us, three years ago. From this book, we can find some clues, how could a island Country like Japan to take part in the WWII, and even invaded, attacked Pearl Harbour. Clavell's books, everyone of them are worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: This is an amazing book!
Review: I'm only 15, yet I can already see that this is an intricate and increadible story that tells so much about history as well as the different culture of Japan. How people change after a catharsis is amazing and this shows that example perfectly. The best book you'll ever read!!

Rating:
Summary: READ IT! LIVE IT! READ IT AGAIN!
Review: Not much else can be said about this book. I won't say it's the finest example of literature ever concieved, but it's not intended to be. It is what it is: An enthralling adventure that you don't just read, you become a part of. Great story from beginning to end and at some, what, 1400 pages long it's about a 1000 pages of actual battle too short which is my only complaint. Not a so much a complaint, really as a compliment to Mr. Clavell. He defintely left me wanted more. READ IT.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most captivating and amazing novels I have read.
Review: This novel opened my eyes and broadened my perspective toward a different culture, here Japanese one. Once I started reading the novel, I could not help keeping reading it until I finished the book the other day. The author leads the readers into a wonderful world of love, war, loyalty, frienship, religion, wisdom, power, and finally the true meaning of life with such a sophisticated and delicate manner. It is no surprising to find out that the viewpoint of the world changed after reading this fascinating novel. Personally, I find the novel one of the most impressive books I have ever read because the main characters of the story has taught me many valuable lessons of life. I would like to recommend to anyone who desires to experience the true joy of understanding a different culture and perspective.