“Only by living at the edge of death can you understand the indescribable joy of life.”After Englishman John Blackthorne is lost at sea, he awakens in a place few Europeans know of and even fewer have seen—Nippon. Thrust into the closed society that is late sixteenth-century Japan, a land where the line between life and death is razor-thin, Blackthorne must negotiate not only a foreign people, … people, with unknown customs and language, but also his own definitions of morality, truth, and freedom. As internal political strife and a clash of cultures lead to seemingly inevitable conflict, Blackthorne’s loyalty and strength of character are tested by both passion and loss, and he is torn between two worlds that will each be forever changed.
Powerful and engrossing, capturing both the rich pageantry and stark realities of life in feudal Japan, Shōgun is a critically acclaimed powerhouse of a book. Heart-stopping, edge-of-your-seat action melds seamlessly with intricate historical detail and raw human emotion. Endlessly compelling, this sweeping saga captivated the world to become not only one of the bestselling novels of all time but also one of the highest-rated television miniseries, as well as inspiring a nationwide surge of interest in the culture of Japan. Shakespearean in both scope and depth, Shōgun is, as the New York Times put it, “…not only something you read—you live it.” Provocative, absorbing, and endlessly fascinating, there is only one: Shōgun.
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One of my favorite books!
Very interesting historical book about the Japanese world, culture and beginning etc.
Shogun is a marvelous story of a Scot who turned out to be the first man who really became close to the Emporer of Japan and traded with that country in the 17th century and a heartbreaking love story that could not end up any other way.
An amazing look at a closed world of secrets and ancient history brought to life.
See the movie if you can!!
I’ve read this book three times , every time into the wee hours of the morning, not wanting to put it down. Made me want to learn to speak Japanese. Great story and they made a great film out of it.
Really enjoyed this book. Takes you to a time and place that are not found in our history classes.
A convincing portrait of a long-lost And yet contemporary world. Exceptional characters, a slice of history, and insights into The Human Condition.
Excellent book, love this author.
It’s been a long time since I read this, but I remember it being really interesting and different than other novels. There is a lot of information about Japanese feudal society that was fascinating to me.
Classic, phenomenal, epic story! I would classify it as historical fiction. Action packed!
the mini-series did a great job. Richard Chamberlain did a fantastic job of acting.
I read this on the recommendation from my husband. It is a great history lesson blended with unforgettable characters.
Loved this book.
One of the few books that I would like to read again. Read it many years ago but I vividly remember being transported to another world. Fascinating and packed full of things to learn about the history of Japan. Intrigued through the whole book.
Brilliant book, that was turned into a TV series. This author only writes amazing novels.
Wonderful book. I stayed up much too late several nights running. Must read.
Great but long and difficult to read
great story
This book has everything
More than just a historical fiction novel, J.C. brings the Japan of the Samurai into focus. Brilliantly written and historically accurate, this book paints a brilliant picture of what the cultural clash of the 16th and 17th century must have been like in Asia, as well as the “Byzantine” politics that went on in Japan. The characters are great, …
This is a classic.