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Summary: An inspiring book on human aspirations and ambitions.
Review: After reading the book the first time I was amazed of the wealth of inspiration it gave me. However, after the second time I was greatful for the insightful knowledge and wisdom Yoshikawa had shared with me about Japan and it's culture and tradtions. Not only that but of human nature and our abilities as an individual. After the third time upon reading The Taiko, well, that was just because I just loved it, I read it to remind me of how much I still need to do to accomplish my own dreams and ambitions.
Rating: 
Summary: A fast paced old fashioned samurai drama
Review: As shown by Musashi and this book one can see why the late Yoshikawa Eiji was one of the best loved writers in Japan. Hideyoshi is a plucky little warrior that one cant help to root for as he seems to be the only man capable of carrying the fantastic task of unifying Sengoku Japan. The book like Yoshikawa's other works[ at the moment only the aforementioned Musashi and a partial translation of the Heike Story is available of the many books by Yoshikawa] pushes all the right buttons. Hideyoshi is always keener, smarter and less prey to emotional breakdown than other characters. The purported various romances promised on the dust jacket never come true. Herein lies the works biggest fault, Hideyoshi comes down as too one-dimensional. One can look at Japan's NHK Taiga drama of 1996 about Hideyoshi to find a more rounded warts and all depiction of the man. Nevertheless its a fun fast paced read that shouldn't disappoint many.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: Book provides an indepth view of feudal Japan. I found it to be even better than the author's bestseller, Musashi.
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Summary: Japan's "Gone With the Wind" so to speak.
Review: Eiji Yoshikawa's epic historical novel "Taiko" tells the story of Toyotomi "Monkey" Hideyoshi; a man born from adversary destined to become one of the most influencial figures in the unification of Japan during the Wars of the Daimyos, along with his daimyo Oda Nobunaga and his ally Tokugawa Ieyasu (later to become the founder of the last Shogunate Dynasty). The book's colorful detail of a simple child born into poverty with the determination of becoming a samurai takes a bold step in retelling the classic 'rags to riches' story. His Lord, Oda Nobunaga appears to be a rash and brute individual, the complete opposite of Hideyoshi. However; this daimyo sees the genius that Hideyoshi displays and helps him to rise through the social levels, from foot soldier to the heir of Nobunaga's mission to unify Japan. This novel has something for everyone: romance, culture, drama, the pain of fighting allies, the bonds of friendship, honor, duty, and the very essence that defines the cultural example of Japanese ideology. Read "Taiko" and discover the lives of Japan's three unifying leaders and their journey to "make the bird sing." This book is worth every penny and deserves to be on every japanese historian's shelf, amateur or professional.
Rating:
Summary: Japan's "Gone With the Wind" so to speak.
Review: Eiji Yoshikawa's epic historical novel "Taiko" tells the story of Toyotomi "Monkey" Hideyoshi; a man born from adversary destined to become one of the most influencial figures in the unification of Japan during the Wars of the Daimyos, along with his daimyo Oda Nobunaga and his ally Tokugawa Ieyasu (later to become the founder of the last Shogunate Dynasty). The book's colorful detail of a simple child born into poverty with the determination of becoming a samurai takes a bold step in retelling the classic 'rags to riches' story. His Lord, Oda Nobunaga appears to be a rash and brute individual, the complete opposite of Hideyoshi. However; this daimyo sees the genius that Hideyoshi displays and helps him to rise through the social levels, from foot soldier to the heir of Nobunaga's mission to unify Japan. This novel has something for everyone: romance, culture, drama, the pain of fighting allies, the bonds of friendship, honor, duty, and the very essence that defines the cultural example of Japanese ideology. Read "Taiko" and discover the lives of Japan's three unifying leaders and their journey to "make the bird sing." This book is worth every penny and deserves to be on every japanese historian's shelf, amateur or professional.
Rating:
Summary: Leaves you wanting more
Review: Engrossing tale of Samurai clans struggling for supremacy in the 16th century. Based on actual events surrounding the 'Three Unifiers' this book is well worth the read. This translation is an abridged version, which makes me wonder what was left out. Certainly I would have been pleased with another 500 pages of this epic tale.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best book I have ever read!!!
Review: Hiyoshi, the main character of this book, was an intelligent kid, brave and matured. He rose from a sandal bearer to the most powerful ruler of Japan. This is a story that will make you laugh and cry along with Hiyoshi's bitter-sweet symphony of life. This story will surely captures your inner feeling and make you want to be a better person. It is a beautiful book and it is AS GOOD AS Musashi!!! Read these two books and it sure worths your sleepless nights!!! Edward Ken Tirtadarma
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read.
Review: I bought this book after reading it twice from the Library. That's only the second time I've ever done that, the first was "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkein. The next will be Musashi, another book by Eiji Yoshikawa, another masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Deserves to be both read and bought.
Review: I had just read James Clavell's "Shogun", which was set shortly "after the Taiko's death". It contained little information about the Taiko (title of one absolute ruler of Japan), so when I saw this book, I took it in hopes of finding out more about him. I was not disappointed. It's a huge epic chronicling the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who unified Japan with the vision of Oda Nobunaga (who tried to do so but was killed). This book succeeds at every angle - when it talks of military tactics, when it talks of historical inter-clan relationships, when it shows us Hideyoshi's innermost thoughts, and so on. It is all in one a history book, a book of military conquests, a love story, a story about honor - a true epic. Many of the characters, like the traitor Mitsuhide, made a deep, lasting impression on me. Everyone is fully fleshed out, their motives not only fully explained, but truly understandable, so you can actually empathize with some of them. Occasionally the narration is a bit dry, with over-emphasis on the vast quantity of names that everyone seems to have, but the people are so real and so captivating that you can easily read through all 944 pages in one sitting. In the West we unfortunately know very little about the intricate history of the very unique and fascinating country that is Japan. Taiko is a fine slice of historical fiction, and should get some people interested in the above. Think nothing of the length - just start reading it, as the characters will pull you in after a very brief while.
Rating:
Summary: Deserves to be both read and bought.
Review: I had just read James Clavell's "Shogun", which was set shortly "after the Taiko's death". It contained little information about the Taiko (title of one absolute ruler of Japan), so when I saw this book, I took it in hopes of finding out more about him. I was not disappointed. It's a huge epic chronicling the life of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who unified Japan with the vision of Oda Nobunaga (who tried to do so but was killed). This book succeeds at every angle - when it talks of military tactics, when it talks of historical inter-clan relationships, when it shows us Hideyoshi's innermost thoughts, and so on. It is all in one a history book, a book of military conquests, a love story, a story about honor - a true epic. Many of the characters, like the traitor Mitsuhide, made a deep, lasting impression on me. Everyone is fully fleshed out, their motives not only fully explained, but truly understandable, so you can actually empathize with some of them. Occasionally the narration is a bit dry, with over-emphasis on the vast quantity of names that everyone seems to have, but the people are so real and so captivating that you can easily read through all 944 pages in one sitting. In the West we unfortunately know very little about the intricate history of the very unique and fascinating country that is Japan. Taiko is a fine slice of historical fiction, and should get some people interested in the above. Think nothing of the length - just start reading it, as the characters will pull you in after a very brief while.
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